Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Rodgers vs C.J. StroudWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.9 PPG to Aaron Rodgers's 14.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

C.J. Stroud is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, C.J. Stroud and Aaron Rodgers are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.7-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBPittsburgh Steelers#25

Aaron Rodgers

PPG

14.2

Games

Pass Yds

3,322

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

QBHouston Texans#23PPG LEADER

C.J. Stroud

PPG

14.9

Games

Pass Yds

3,041

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

209

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Aaron Rodgers

C.J. Stroud

Head to Head

14.2 PPG14.9 PPG

16 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Rodgers: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #25 at the position). C.J. Stroud: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #23 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aaron Rodgers is producing at 65% of elite pace and C.J. Stroud at 68%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Aaron Rodgers vs C.J. Stroud: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Aaron Rodgers and C.J. Stroud is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.7 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Aaron Rodgers averaged 14.2 PPG with the Pittsburgh Steelers across 16 games, and C.J. Stroud posted 14.9 with the Houston Texans in 14.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Aaron Rodgers threw for 3322 yards and 24 touchdowns, while C.J. Stroud posted 3041 yards and 19 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Aaron Rodgers has his bye in Week 9, and C.J. Stroud rests in Week 8. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Aaron Rodgers (age 42) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. C.J. Stroud (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•C.J. Stroud outscored Aaron Rodgers by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Aaron Rodgers played 16 games in 2025 compared to C.J. Stroud's 14. That durability gap means Aaron Rodgers contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Aaron Rodgers scored 25 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•C.J. Stroud is 18 years younger than Aaron Rodgers (24 vs 42), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Rodgers vs C.J. Stroud: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Rodgers	C.J. Stroud
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.2	14.9
Games Played	16	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	227	209
Passing Yards	3,322	3,041
Passing TDs	24	19
Pass Yds/Game	207.6	217.2
Rushing Yards	61	209
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	25	20
TDs/Game	1.6	1.4
Age	42	24
Experience	20 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor C.J. Stroud at 14.9 PPG, 0.7 points per game above Aaron Rodgers's 14.2. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aaron Rodgers or C.J. Stroud in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, C.J. Stroud has the edge at 14.9 PPG compared to Aaron Rodgers's 14.2 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Aaron Rodgers and C.J. Stroud average in 2025?▾

Aaron Rodgers averaged 14.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. C.J. Stroud averaged 14.9 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Aaron Rodgers and C.J. Stroud's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Rodgers (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and C.J. Stroud (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Rodgers or C.J. Stroud a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

C.J. Stroud outscored Aaron Rodgers by 0.7 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.