Geno Smith vs Jared Goff: Who Should You Start?
Geno Smith and Jared Goff are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Geno Smith averaged 12.7 PPG across 15 games with the New York Jets, while Jared Goff posted 17.9 PPG in 17 appearances for the Detroit Lions.
A 5.2-PPG gap gives Jared Goff 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. Geno Smith threw for 3025 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Jared Goff posted 4564 yards and 34 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: Geno Smith sits Week 12 while Jared Goff is off Week 5. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
