Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Rodgers vs Derek CarrWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Aaron Rodgers's 14.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

Derek Carr has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.6-PPG advantage is real (15.8 to 14.2), and Derek Carr's 23 touchdowns show scoring upside. Aaron Rodgers is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

QBNew Orleans Saints#99PPG LEADER

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Aaron Rodgers

Derek Carr

Head to Head

14.2 PPG15.8 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Rodgers: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #25 at the position). Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aaron Rodgers is producing at 65% of elite pace and Derek Carr at 72%. That ranking gap means Aaron Rodgers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Rodgers vs Derek Carr: The Full Breakdown

Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Aaron Rodgers (Pittsburgh Steelers) finished the 2025 season averaging 14.2 fantasy points per game in 16 games. Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints) came in at 15.8 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Derek Carr carries a 1.6-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Aaron Rodgers threw for 3322 yards and 24 touchdowns, while Derek Carr posted 3428 yards and 22 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Aaron Rodgers is off Week 9 and Derek Carr Week 12. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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. Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Derek Carr outscored Aaron Rodgers by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Aaron Rodgers played 16 games in 2025 compared to Derek Carr's 15. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Rodgers vs Derek Carr: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Rodgers	Derek Carr
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.2	15.8
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	227	237
Passing Yards	3,322	3,428
Passing TDs	24	22
Pass Yds/Game	207.6	228.5
Rushing Yards	61	105
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	25	23
TDs/Game	1.6	1.5
Age	42	-
Experience	20 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 12

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Derek Carr holds the PPG edge with solid output at 15.8 points per game. Aaron Rodgers averaged 14.2 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aaron Rodgers or Derek Carr in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 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 Derek Carr average in 2025?▾

Aaron Rodgers averaged 14.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Aaron Rodgers and Derek Carr's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Rodgers (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Rodgers or Derek Carr a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Aaron Rodgers by 1.6 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.