Who Should I Start? Sam Darnold or Caleb Williams

Thursday, June 19, 12:24 PM

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold had a career year in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings, completing 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 regular-season games to lead Minnesota to a 14-3 record. However, the former third overall pick in 2018 finished on a sour note in his final two games and knows he must prove himself again in 2025 with a new team. Darnold has familiarity with new Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak from their one year together in San Fran in 2023, but the move from Minnesota to Seattle is definitely a downgrade in terms of overall offense and the weapons he'll have in Seattle. The 28-year-old was excellent throwing downfield in 2024, but it helped to have one of the best receivers in the league in Justin Jefferson. Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting a repeat of 2024, when Darnold finished as the QB9.

Monday, June 23, 6:04 PM

The Athletic's Adam Jahns writes that Chicago Bears new head coach Ben Johnson is challenging second-year quarterback Caleb Williams every day about everything and is coaching him hard, which should be a good thing for his development going into his second NFL season. Johnson's fiery, demanding persona stood out on the practice field during the offseason program, and it's expected to continue into training camp this summer. The 23-year-old was sacked a league-high 68 times while throwing for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions in 17 starts after being the first overall pick in last year's draft. He also rushed for 489 yards. Fantasy managers should give the USC product a pass after the Bears fired their head coach and offensive coordinator midway through Williams' rookie season. With Johnson now running the offense and plenty of weapons at his disposal, Williams should take a step forward in 2025.