Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Gardner Minshew vs J.J. McCarthyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

J.J. McCarthy is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.5 PPG to Gardner Minshew's 12.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

J.J. McCarthy is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, J.J. McCarthy and Gardner Minshew are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Gardner Minshew and J.J. McCarthy in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

QBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Gardner Minshew

PPG

12.4

Games

Pass Yds

2,420

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

125

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

QBMinnesota Vikings#32PPG LEADER

J.J. McCarthy

PPG

12.5

Games

Pass Yds

1,632

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

181

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Gardner Minshew

J.J. McCarthy

Head to Head

12.4 PPG12.5 PPG

12 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Gardner Minshew: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). J.J. McCarthy: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #32 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Gardner Minshew is producing at 56% of elite pace and J.J. McCarthy at 57%. That ranking gap means J.J. McCarthy carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Gardner Minshew vs J.J. McCarthy: The Full Breakdown

Gardner Minshew (12.4 PPG) and J.J. McCarthy (12.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two quarterbacks are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Gardner Minshew played 12 games for the Las Vegas Raiders; J.J. McCarthy suited up 10 times for the Minnesota Vikings.

A 0.1-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Gardner Minshew threw for 2420 yards and 14 touchdowns, while J.J. McCarthy posted 1632 yards and 11 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: Gardner Minshew sits Week 10 while J.J. McCarthy 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.

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: Gardner Minshew (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. J.J. McCarthy (age 23) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•J.J. McCarthy outscored Gardner Minshew by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Gardner Minshew played 12 games in 2025 compared to J.J. McCarthy's 10. That durability gap means Gardner Minshew contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Gardner Minshew scored 15 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gardner Minshew vs J.J. McCarthy: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gardner Minshew	J.J. McCarthy
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.4	12.5
Games Played	12	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	149	125
Passing Yards	2,420	1,632
Passing TDs	14	11
Pass Yds/Game	201.7	163.2
Rushing Yards	125	181
Rushing TDs	1	4
Total TDs	15	15
TDs/Game	1.3	1.5
Age	-	23
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 6

Summary

12.5 PPG for J.J. McCarthy versus 12.4 for Gardner Minshew in 2025. The baseline favors J.J. McCarthy, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Gardner Minshew vs J.J. McCarthy

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Gardner Minshew vs J.J. McCarthy

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Gardner Minshew or J.J. McCarthy in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, J.J. McCarthy has the edge at 12.5 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 Gardner Minshew and J.J. McCarthy average in 2025?▾

Gardner Minshew averaged 12.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. J.J. McCarthy averaged 12.5 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are Gardner Minshew and J.J. McCarthy's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gardner Minshew (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and J.J. McCarthy (MIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gardner Minshew or J.J. McCarthy a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

J.J. McCarthy outscored Gardner Minshew by 0.1 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.