Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Rodgers vs Sam DarnoldWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aaron Rodgers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.2 PPG to Sam Darnold's 13.8 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 Sam Darnold by 0.4 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

QBSeattle Seahawks#27

Sam Darnold

PPG

13.8

Games

Pass Yds

4,048

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Aaron Rodgers

Sam Darnold

Head to Head

14.2 PPG13.8 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Rodgers: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #25 at the position). Sam Darnold: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #27 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aaron Rodgers is producing at 65% of elite pace and Sam Darnold at 63%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Aaron Rodgers vs Sam Darnold: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Aaron Rodgers and Sam Darnold is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.4 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 Sam Darnold posted 13.8 with the Seattle Seahawks in 17.

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 Sam Darnold posted 4048 yards and 25 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 Sam Darnold rests in Week 11. 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. Sam Darnold (age 28) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Aaron Rodgers outscored Sam Darnold by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Sam Darnold played 17 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Rodgers's 16. That durability gap means Sam Darnold 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.
•Sam Darnold is 14 years younger than Aaron Rodgers (28 vs 42), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Rodgers vs Sam Darnold: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Rodgers	Sam Darnold
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.2	13.8
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	227	235
Passing Yards	3,322	4,048
Passing TDs	24	25
Pass Yds/Game	207.6	238.1
Rushing Yards	61	95
Rushing TDs	1	0
Total TDs	25	25
TDs/Game	1.6	1.5
Age	42	28
Experience	20 yrs	7 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. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 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 Sam Darnold in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aaron Rodgers has the edge at 14.2 PPG compared to Sam Darnold's 13.8 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 Sam Darnold average in 2025?▾

Aaron Rodgers averaged 14.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Sam Darnold averaged 13.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Aaron Rodgers and Sam Darnold's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Rodgers (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Sam Darnold (SEA) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Rodgers or Sam Darnold a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Aaron Rodgers outscored Sam Darnold by 0.4 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.