Who Should I Start? Sam Darnold or Spencer Rattler

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.

Friday, May 23, 12:31 PM

The New Orleans Times-Picayune's Matthew Paras reports that New Orleans Saints second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler looked very comfortable during the team's OTA practice on Thursday, and you could tell that he has a year under his belt. Meanwhile, rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough was a little more hesitant, although he shined on a deep ball to receiver Rashid Shaheed down the sideline. Everyone is already expecting Shough to win the QB competition in New Orleans after the sudden retirement of Derek Carr this offseason, but the 24-year-old Rattler isn't going to go down with a fight in an open competition this spring and summer. Rattler completed just 57% of his passes for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions in seven games in 2024 as a rookie, but he has the experience edge and could get the nod if Shough isn't quite ready to start in Week 1 this fall.