Who Should I Start? Patrick Mahomes or Malik Willis

Wednesday, December 17, 1:21 PM

Kansas City Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder said that quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) was operated on quickly to fix the LCL part of his ACL/LCL knee injury that he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Jesse Newell of The Athletic. Mahomes has started his rehab in Dallas this week and will continue through Thursday before returning to KC. The fact that the 30-year-old tore both his ACL and LCL will make his recovery more complicated, but reports suggest that Mahomes is "hellbent" on returning for the Week 1 season opener in 2026. For the final three weeks of the 2025 season, Gardner Minshew will run KC's offense, which is an obvious downgrade for all of the Chiefs' offensive skill players. Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP, threw for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 14 games in 2025 in his ninth NFL season.

Monday, December 29, 9:59 AM

Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis dominated on Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17. He completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 60 yards and scoring twice on the ground, good for 31.52 fantasy points, making him worth a look on the waiver wire if he is scheduled to start again. Willis stepped in for the injured Jordan Love (left shoulder/concussion) and has made the most of his opportunities. Because of his recent performance, he should be on the fantasy radar in Week 18 if he starts against the Minnesota Vikings. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was non-committal after Saturday's 41-24 loss. Mainly because the Packers have locked up the seven seed in the NFC and can no longer move up or down. In Week 18, they also take on the Minnesota Vikings, who have been dominant against opposing quarterbacks, allowing the fewest fantasy points to the position on the season.