Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Rodgers vs Michael Penix Jr.Who should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aaron Rodgers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.2 PPG to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Aaron Rodgers is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Aaron Rodgers edges Michael Penix Jr. by 0.8 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Aaron Rodgers goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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QBPittsburgh Steelers#25PPG LEADER

Aaron Rodgers

PPG

14.2

Games

Pass Yds

3,322

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 9

QBAtlanta Falcons#29

Michael Penix Jr.

PPG

13.4

Games

Pass Yds

1,982

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Aaron Rodgers

Michael Penix Jr.

Head to Head

14.2 PPG13.4 PPG

16 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Rodgers: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #25 at the position). Michael Penix Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #29 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aaron Rodgers is producing at 65% of elite pace and Michael Penix Jr. at 61%. That ranking gap means Aaron Rodgers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Rodgers vs Michael Penix Jr.: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Aaron Rodgers finished the 2025 season at 14.2 PPG over 16 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Michael Penix Jr. clocked in at 13.4 across 9 appearances for the Atlanta Falcons. A 0.8-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Aaron Rodgers threw for 3322 yards and 24 touchdowns, while Michael Penix Jr. posted 1982 yards and 9 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 Michael Penix Jr. Week 11. 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. Michael Penix Jr. (age 26) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Aaron Rodgers outscored Michael Penix Jr. by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Aaron Rodgers played 16 games in 2025 compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 9. 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.
•Michael Penix Jr. is 16 years younger than Aaron Rodgers (26 vs 42), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Rodgers vs Michael Penix Jr.: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Rodgers	Michael Penix Jr.
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.2	13.4
Games Played	16	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	227	121
Passing Yards	3,322	1,982
Passing TDs	24	9
Pass Yds/Game	207.6	220.2
Rushing Yards	61	70
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	25	10
TDs/Game	1.6	1.1
Age	42	26
Experience	20 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Aaron Rodgers holds the PPG edge with solid output at 14.2 points per game. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aaron Rodgers has the edge at 14.2 PPG compared to Michael Penix Jr.'s 13.4 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 Michael Penix Jr. average in 2025?▾

Aaron Rodgers averaged 14.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. averaged 13.4 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Aaron Rodgers and Michael Penix Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Rodgers (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Rodgers or Michael Penix Jr. a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Aaron Rodgers outscored Michael Penix Jr. by 0.8 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.