Head to Head · Start / Sit

Jared Goff vs Patrick Mahomes

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

QBDetroit Lions

Jared Goff

PPG

17.9

Games

Pass Yds

4,564

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 5

QBKansas City ChiefsPPG LEADER

Patrick Mahomes

PPG

21.2

Games

Pass Yds

3,587

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

422

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

Head to Head

17.9 PPG21.2 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 6

Jared Goff vs Patrick Mahomes: Who Should You Start?

Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Jared Goff averaged 17.9 PPG across 17 games with the Detroit Lions, while Patrick Mahomes posted 21.2 PPG in 14 appearances for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A 3.3-PPG gap gives Patrick Mahomes 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.

Patrick Mahomes offers meaningful rushing upside with 422 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Jared Goff (4564 passing yards, 34 touchdowns). In games where the passing matchup looks ugly, that rushing production can be the entire difference on a start/sit call.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jared Goff sits Week 5 while Patrick Mahomes is off Week 6. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

The Bottom Line

Patrick Mahomes outscored Jared Goff by 3.3 PPG in 2025 (21.2 to 17.9). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jared Goff or Patrick Mahomes in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Patrick Mahomes has the edge at 21.2 PPG compared to Jared Goff's 17.9 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 Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes average in 2025?▾

Jared Goff averaged 17.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Patrick Mahomes averaged 21.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 3.3 points per game.

When are Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jared Goff (DET) has a bye in Week 5, and Patrick Mahomes (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jared Goff or Patrick Mahomes a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Patrick Mahomes outscored Jared Goff by 3.3 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.