Justin Herbert vs Kyler Murray: Who Should You Start?
Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Justin Herbert averaged 18.7 PPG across 16 games with the Los Angeles Chargers, while Kyler Murray posted 16.2 PPG in 5 appearances for the Minnesota Vikings.
A 2.5-PPG gap gives Justin Herbert 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.
Justin Herbert offers meaningful rushing upside with 498 yards on the ground in 2025, which separates his floor from a pocket passer like Kyler Murray (962 passing yards, 6 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: Justin Herbert sits Week 5 while Kyler Murray 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.