Who Should I Start? Michael Penix Jr. or Shane Buechele

Sunday, January 5, 5:07 PM

Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. went 21-for-38 with 312 yards, two passing scores and an interception during their overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. Penix added five yards and score on his lone carry. After averaging just 212.5 passing yards during the first two games of his career, Penix enjoyed a strong finish to the 2024 campaign, despite falling just short to the Panthers. The Washington product leaned on his top wideout Drake London as he threw to him 18 times. London also brought in both his touchdown passes and finished the day with 187 receiving yards. The 24-year-old has tallied four total touchdowns over his first three NFL games but sits with a 1-2 record, with both of his losses coming in overtime. Fantasy managers should expect Penix to be in the driver's seat to open as the team's starting QB in 2025.

Wednesday, January 29, 9:32 PM

According to Alec White of the team, the Buffalo Bills have re-signed quarterback Shane Buechele (neck) to a one-year deal. The Texas native spent the entirety of the 2024 season on injured reserve with a neck injury he sustained in the preseason and was previously a member of the Bills' practice squad in 2023. Buechele went undrafted out of SMU in 2021 and was signed by Kansas City, though he never recorded a snap. He'd then get a year off in 2022 before finding his way to Buffalo the following season. The 27-year-old's collegiate profile is nothing of note, brandishing one season with more than 3,100 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. However, his familiarity with Buffalo's system makes him a valuable emergency option should anything happen to the players ahead of him. He'll now attempt to work his way to their 53-man roster in 2025.