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Aaron Rodgers vs Gardner MinshewWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aaron Rodgers is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.2 PPG to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Aaron Rodgers is the better fantasy play this season.

Aaron Rodgers is the better play on a neutral week. 14.2 PPG with 3,374 yards gives a reliable baseline. Gardner Minshew at 12.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Aaron Rodgers higher, but do not fade Gardner Minshew entirely.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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QBPittsburgh Steelers#25PPG LEADER
Aaron Rodgers
PPG
14.2
Games
16
Pass Yds
3,322
Pass TDs
24
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 9
QBLas Vegas Raiders#99
Gardner Minshew
PPG
12.4
Games
12
Pass Yds
2,420
Pass TDs
14
Rush Yds
125
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Aaron Rodgers
Gardner Minshew

Head to Head

14.2 PPG12.4 PPG
16 GP12 GP
Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Rodgers: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #25 at the position). Gardner Minshew: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Aaron Rodgers is producing at 65% of elite pace and Gardner Minshew at 56%. That ranking gap means Aaron Rodgers carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Rodgers vs Gardner Minshew: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Aaron Rodgers and Gardner Minshew for your lineup, you are not alone. Aaron Rodgers finished the 2025 season at 14.2 PPG for the Pittsburgh Steelers (16 games), and Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 for the Las Vegas Raiders (12 games).

That 1.8-point weekly advantage for Aaron Rodgers is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Aaron Rodgers threw for 3322 yards and 24 touchdowns, while Gardner Minshew posted 2420 yards and 14 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Aaron Rodgers has his bye in Week 9, and Gardner Minshew rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Aaron Rodgers (age 42) is on the back end of his prime. Strong now, but dynasty value declines year over year. Gardner Minshew (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

  • Aaron Rodgers outscored Gardner Minshew by a projected 31 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Aaron Rodgers played 16 games in 2025 compared to Gardner Minshew's 12. That durability gap means Aaron Rodgers contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Aaron Rodgers scored 25 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Rodgers vs Gardner Minshew: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAaron RodgersGardner Minshew
PPG (Half-PPR)14.212.4
Games Played1612
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)227149
Passing Yards3,3222,420
Passing TDs2414
Pass Yds/Game207.6201.7
Rushing Yards61125
Rushing TDs11
Total TDs2515
TDs/Game1.61.3
Age42-
Experience20 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 9Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Aaron Rodgers at 14.2 PPG, 1.8 points per game above Gardner Minshew's 12.4. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aaron Rodgers or Gardner Minshew in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Aaron Rodgers has the edge at 14.2 PPG compared to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 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 Aaron Rodgers and Gardner Minshew average in 2025?

Aaron Rodgers averaged 14.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 1.8 points per game.

When are Aaron Rodgers and Gardner Minshew's bye weeks in 2026?

Aaron Rodgers (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Gardner Minshew (LV) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Rodgers or Gardner Minshew a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Aaron Rodgers outscored Gardner Minshew by 1.8 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.