Fantasy football managers got their first look at their teams during Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. Most liked what they saw during a week where NFL teams tied the single-week scoring record for the Super Bowl era.
The NFL's top quarterbacks largely enjoyed strong weeks to open the season. Caleb Williams was the breakout star during the Bears' 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers, but Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts all delivered on their reputations as early-round fantasy picks.
Add in more strong performances from players like Jaxson Dart, Trevor Lawrence and Bryce Young and the quarterback position appears to be deeper than ever.
That reality can make for some difficult start 'em, sit 'em decisions, especially for teams rostering multiple
quarterbacks. The good news is that it's typically easy enough to figure out who the best starts are, even if it is a bit early to know exactly which defenses are the weakest against quarterbacks.
So, which quarterbacks can you trust in fantasy football for Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season? Here's a breakdown of the players to start and sit at the position, including a list of high-drafted players who should be considered automatic starts to open the season.
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 2 QBs
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (at Houston Texans)
I know, I know – listing Burrow as a start is stating the obvious. The 29-year-old was an early-round fantasy pick – making it unlikely many fantasy football managers will consider sitting him at this early stage in the season – but at least some may hesitate upon seeing he is slated for a date with a well-regarded Texans defense.
That said, the Texans just let Josh Allen throw for 334 yards and two touchdowns against it and rack up the second-most fantasy points by a quarterback in Week 1. Houston may be better in Week 2, but its performance against Buffalo showcased there are some holes in the secondary that Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Mike Gesicki should be able to exploit.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Revenge is going to be on Mayfield's mind as he faces the Browns, who selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, for the first time since 2022. Mayfield notched 235 yards, two total touchdowns (one passing and one rushing) and an interception in his first outing against Cleveland, but he will hoping to do better with a strong supporting cast in Tampa Bay.
The Browns just allowed Trevor Lawrence to throw for 245 yards and four touchdowns against them in Week 1, as their defense seemed to be missing Myles Garrett and Jim Schwartz significantly. Mayfield could exploit Cleveland's weaknesses and enjoy similar success to Lawrence, provided the Oklahoma product can clean up the fumbling issues that plagued him in Week 1 against the Bengals.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Miami Dolphins)
The Dolphins just let Kirk Cousins throw for three touchdowns against them. Purdy just threw for three touchdowns against a much better-regarded Rams defense in Week 1, so it's reasonable to expect a similar – if not, better – output from him against Miami.
The lone concern with Purdy is that the 49ers will be jumping back to west-coast time after playing their season-opener in Australia. Against a better team, that may have been a concern, but even a fatigued Purdy should be able to do damage against the Dolphins.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Washington Commanders)
The Cowboys proved in Week 1 that their defense remains a weakness, as the unit allowed the Giants to rack up 28 points and 394 yards against them.
Why does that matter for Prescott? As long as Dallas' defense is leaky, the veteran quarterback should have the passing volume needed to be a quality start. That will give him a chance to post a solid outing against a Commanders defense that surrendered 203 passing yards and three touchdowns to Jalen Hurts last week.
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 2 QBs
Drake Maye, New England Patriots (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
Maye did not look good in the Patriots' 13-10 Week 1 loss to the Seahawks, and things may only get harder for him moving forward. His top receiver, A.J. Brown, was placed on IR because of a high-ankle sprain, so Maye will lack a true, No. 1 receiver to target heavily.
It doesn't help Maye's cause that the Steelers allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to the quarterback position in Week 1. Granted, they played Cooper Rush and the Atlanta Falcons, so it wasn't exactly a tough test, but the T.J. Watt-led unit could still provide Maye with a difficult test.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (vs. New York Giants)
Stafford had a rough go against the 49ers in Week 1 in Australia. Now, he will look to bounce back after flying halfway around the world and will get a tougher-than-expected matchup against the Giants.
The issue with Stafford facing the Giants isn't necessarily their defense. It's that New York's offense is built to dominate time of possession and limit the amount of possessions their opponents. That could result in Stafford getting fewer scoring opportunities than his managers would expect.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
Nix did not look good in the Broncos' resounding Week 1 loss to the Chiefs. Perhaps he will bounce back against a Jaguars defense that just allowed Deshaun Watson to run for 38 yards against it, but it's probably better to wait to start the third-year quarterback until Denver's offense irons out its kinks under first-time play-caller Davis Webb.
Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 2
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 2.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here's who you should start and sit in Week 2.
→ Defense (and special teams) can win you championships – including your fantasy league's. Here are some of the best D/ST units to start and sit in Week 2.
→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 2 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em quarterbacks for Week 2 fantasy football
