Who Should I Start? Patrick Mahomes or Baker Mayfield

Thursday, February 12, 1:27 PM

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) is no longer a top-tier fantasy option, primarily due to injury uncertainty. Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in Week 15, and it's currently unclear whether he'll be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. He's still one of the most talented players in NFL history, but without a clear timeline, fantasy managers shouldn't expect to rely on him as their starting quarterback in Week 1. We also can't ignore the fact that his fantasy production has gone backward. He went from the overall QB1 in 2022 to QB8 in 2023, QB11 in 2024, and QB11 in his shortened 2025 campaign. He has thrown at least 11 interceptions in each of his last five seasons, and he's been held to 27 or fewer touchdowns every year since 2022, when he threw for 41. Josh Allen has taken over as the consensus QB1 in fantasy football, but players like Lamar Jackson, Drake Maye, and Joe Burrow have also become more appealing to managers than Mahomes. Of course, that could change if the Chiefs add a superstar receiver this offseason, and it also wouldn't hurt if tight end Travis Kelce bounces back following a down year.

Wednesday, January 28, 5:18 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will have a third different offensive coordinator in Zac Robinson in 2026 in his third year with the organization. Mayfield had his least productive year in Tampa in 2025, although a midseason left-shoulder injury may have been to blame. The 30-year-old veteran had 3,693 passing yards, 26 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions, and a 63.2 completion percentage in 17 starts. He added 55 carries for 382 yards and a touchdown on the ground to finish as the QB12 in fantasy scoring. Mayfield's passing yards, completion percentage, and touchdowns were his fewest in his three years in Tampa. The two-time Pro Bowler plays with as much passion at the QB position as anyone else in the league, but his reckless playing style leaves him open to injury. Mayfield will have plenty of weapons again in 2026 to make him worth consideration as a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in fantasy football.