Who Should I Start? Sam Darnold or Kyler Murray

Tuesday, October 14, 4:59 PM

Fantasy managers were understandably skeptical as to whether quarterback Sam Darnold could follow up his outstanding 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings this year after heading to the NFC West to play for the Seattle Seahawks. Through six weeks with his new team, it's clear that the former third overall pick out of USC is picking up where he left off. The 28-year-old continued to play well in Week 6 against a ball-hawking Jacksonville Jaguars defense and finished just shy of 300 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Darnold has latched onto star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba as his go-to target, and it's working. Since a mediocre 150-yard, no-touchdown performance in Week 1, Darnold has thrown for multiple touchdowns in five games and has gone 98-for-138 for 1,391 yards, 11 TDs, and three picks. He continues to be aggressive downfield and should at least be rostered in every fantasy league as a high-end QB2 going forward. He'll really be tested in Week 7 against a Houston Texans defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing QBs through five games.

Monday, October 13, 8:00 PM

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon cleared things up on Monday for anyone thinking there might be quarterback controversy in the desert after veteran backup Jacoby Brissett's strong performance in the Week 6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. When asked if Kyler Murray (foot) is still the starter under center when he's healthy, Gannon said, "Yeah." "He's the starting quarterback," Gannon confirmed. Brissett threw for 320 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception on Sunday. The last time that Murray went for over 300 yards passing in a game was in late October of 2022. Although it was just a one-game sample size for Brissett, he looked better than Murray has in his five starts in 2025. The Cardinals organization continues to stand behind Murray as the starting QB, but Brissett's impressive composure in his first start of the year on Sunday could afford the team more patience in bringing Murray back from his foot injury.