Brock Purdy vs Joe Burrow: Who Should You Start?
Brock Purdy and Joe Burrow are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Brock Purdy averaged 20.8 PPG across 9 games with the San Francisco 49ers, while Joe Burrow posted 17.4 PPG in 8 appearances for the Cincinnati Bengals.
A 3.4-PPG gap gives Brock Purdy the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.
Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Brock Purdy threw for 2167 yards and 20 touchdowns, while Joe Burrow posted 1809 yards and 17 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Brock Purdy sits Week 9 while Joe Burrow is off Week 12. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
