Jared Goff vs Marcus Mariota: Who Should You Start?
Two quarterbacks who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Jared Goff (Detroit Lions) finished the 2025 season averaging 17.9 fantasy points per game in 17 games. Marcus Mariota (Washington Commanders) came in at 12.0 PPG over 11 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.
Jared Goff carries a 5.9-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.
Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Jared Goff threw for 4564 yards and 34 touchdowns, while Marcus Mariota posted 1695 yards and 10 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: Jared Goff sits Week 5 while Marcus Mariota is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
