NFL fans and fantasy football managers alike were reminded of a key lesson in Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season: Don't overlook veteran backup quarterbacks.
The Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders were led to upset victories over the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks thanks to strong efforts from Case Keenum and Marcus Mariota. Keenum, making his first start since 2023, accounted for three total touchdowns and 247 passing yards while Mariota was able to notch a three-score performance against a stalwart Seahawks defense.
While few considered starting Keenum and Mariota in fantasy football, each ended up being a top-13 quarterback for the week, per FantasyPros.
What does that mean? Fantasy managers shouldn't blindly trust backup quarterbacks,
but in a pinch, experienced veterans such as Keenum, Mariota and Drew Lock can keep offenses afloat. So, don't be afraid to stay the course with your pass-catching weapons or trust savvy signal-callers of that ilk in favorable matchups.
Which quarterbacks can you trust in fantasy football for Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season? Here's a breakdown of the players to start and sit at the position.
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 4 QBs
Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Miami Dolphins)
Murray is still getting comfortable in the Vikings' offense after missing most of the first two weeks of the season because of a concussion. The 29-year-old has a favorable matchup in Week 4 against the Dolphins that could allow him to break out, even if Justin Jefferson (ankle) is questionable for the game.
The Dolphins rank dead-last in expected points added (EPA) allowed per passing play, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats. That means they are susceptible to explosive plays, which aligns with their average of 231 passing yards surrendered per game and eight total touchdowns allowed to quarterbacks. Kevin O'Connell may view this as an opportunity to work out the kinks in Minnesota's Murray-led passing attack, so the veteran can be expected to enjoy his first multi-touchdown day of the season.
Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
Mariota might not ultimately start in Week 4. There's a non-zero chance Jayden Daniels (elbow) will be able to return to action after just a one-game absence.
That said, if Daniels can't play, Mariota will be an excellent streaming option against the Colts. Indianapolis is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks and Mariota just threw for 183 yards and three touchdowns against a loaded Seahawks defense.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (at Carolina Panthers)
Goff earned a "sit" designation in my early-week start 'em, sit 'em, but his outlook has changed. The Panthers placed their top two cornerbacks, Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, on IR with injuries. That will leave Carolina both thin and young in its secondary.
Goff should be well-equipped to take advantage of Carolina's weakness at quarterback in what figures to be a high-scoring game.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (vs. Detroit Lions)
Young's fantasy outlook will also, strangely, benefit from the absence of his top-two quarterbacks. The "Sunday Night Football" matchup between the two teams figures to be a high-scoring shootout given each's defensive weakness, so that could allow Young to take advantage of a Lions defense surrendering a league-high 31.7 points per game this season.
The Lions have also allowed the most FPPG to quarterbacks this season, so this already seemed like a solid spot for Young.
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 4 QBs
Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
Fantasy football managers may be tempted to trust Cousins after he threw three touchdowns in each of his first three games with the Raiders. However, it may be hard for Cousins to repeat his early-season success against a Chiefs defense that has allowed the fewest FPPG to quarterbacks this season.
Further complicating Cousins' upside is that the Chiefs have only allowed two total passing touchdowns across three games. The 38-year-old has a very low floor, especially since the Chiefs are, far and away, the best team the Raiders have faced thus far during the 2026 NFL season.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots (at Buffalo Bills)
Maye has posted just one touchdown and a whopping seven turnovers through three weeks. He isn't seeing the field well while his deep accuracy has declined precipitously since his MVP runner-up campaign in 2025.
The Bills have been far from pristine against quarterbacks this season, but they just held the struggling Justin Herbert to 226 yards, one touchdown and one interception. It's hard to imagine Maye looking much better on the road as he looks to rebuild his shaken confidence.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (at Seattle Seahawks)
Speaking of Herbert, trusting him behind a porous offensive line in a tough, Seattle road environment seems far less than ideal. He has only once logged multiple touchdowns in a game this season while throwing four interceptions and fumbling three times.
Like Maye, Herbert should be treated as an automatic sit until he returns to form.
Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 4
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 4.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here's who you should start and sit in Week 4.
→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 4 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em quarterbacks for Week 4 fantasy football
