Caleb Williams vs Sam Darnold: Who Should You Start?
Caleb Williams and Sam Darnold are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Caleb Williams averaged 19.1 PPG across 17 games with the Chicago Bears, while Sam Darnold posted 14.7 PPG in 17 appearances for the Seattle Seahawks.
A 4.4-PPG gap gives Caleb Williams 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. Caleb Williams threw for 3942 yards and 27 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.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Caleb Williams sits Week 7 while Sam Darnold is off Week 10. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
