Well, Quarterback decisions are becoming increasingly complicated as the fantasy football season enters its second half. Several offenses have undergone significant changes, and injuries, along with inconsistent performances, are forcing managers to rethink players who seemed reliable just a few weeks ago.
In Week 10, there are some intriguing opportunities beyond the usual elite quarterbacks. Bryce Young is coming off an impressive performance against Denver, Tyler Shough continues to deliver unexpected production in New Orleans, and Trevor Lawrence from Jacksonville has an appealing divisional matchup. However, other quarterbacks are facing tough defensive challenges that may make them difficult to trust.
Here are the quarterbacks to start and sit in Week 10 of the 2026 NFL season.
Week 10 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Bryce Young, CAR (@ NO)
Bryce Young responded to two disappointing performances with one of his best outings of the season against Denver. The Panthers quarterback completed 28 of 39 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing impressive efficiency against a defense that had frustrated several opposing offenses. He has now exceeded 275 passing yards in six of his eight appearances, highlighting the development of Carolina's offense around his passing abilities. His 28 completions against Denver also helped the Panthers sustain drives, despite ultimately losing 26-21.
The upcoming game against New Orleans presents another promising opportunity. The Saints have struggled to prevent opponents from producing consistent passing numbers, and their 23-22 overtime victory against Cleveland did little to establish them as a formidable defensive matchup.
Young has shown he can exploit openings across the middle of the field, which is a crucial advantage against a defense that has had difficulty maintaining coverage.
Trevor Lawrence, JAC (@ TEN)
Trevor Lawrence enters Week 10 with significant momentum after leading Jacksonville to two convincing victories in a row. The Jaguars defeated Indianapolis 42-7 and then dominated Baltimore 33-10 on Thursday night. In those games, Lawrence combined for 452 passing yards and four touchdowns without throwing an interception. These strong performances occurred despite a relatively limited number of passing attempts. Thanks to Jacksonville's defense and running game, they established comfortable leads, allowing Lawrence to remain efficient without needing to throw 40 times.
Tennessee could present another favorable matchup for him. The Titans allowed Cincinnati to score 43 points before their Week 9 bye, including five passing touchdowns from Joe Burrow. Their struggles in preventing explosive plays make Lawrence an appealing option.
Tyler Shough, NO (vs. CAR)
Tyler Shough has quietly emerged as one of the more intriguing fantasy quarterbacks available in many leagues. Recently, he completed 21 of 35 passes for 265 yards and one touchdown against Cleveland, while also contributing 51 rushing yards on 10 carries. These rushing efforts significantly boosted his fantasy production in a game where the New Orleans offense struggled to maintain consistent momentum. Shough's mobility has become a key aspect of his value. He can extend drives when receivers have difficulty getting open, and his readiness to run adds another potential source of points for fantasy managers.
Next up, Shough faces a matchup with considerable scoring potential against the Carolina Panthers. Last weekend, the Panthers allowed 26 points to Denver, and their offense has shown enough passing capability to force opponents into more aggressive strategies. It's important to note that Shough has experienced significant ups and downs in his performances, including a challenging game against Minnesota earlier this season.
Other Starts: Drew Lock, SEA (@ LV); Jayden Daniels, WAS (@ NYG).
Lock is expected to make another start with Sam Darnold sidelined. He threw for 175 yards and a touchdown against Arizona, but his elbow and oblique injuries require monitoring before Sunday. Daniels offers considerably more established rushing upside and enters Thursday's matchup with the Giants following full participation on Washington's estimated injury report.
Week 10 Fantasy Football Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins, LV (vs. SEA)
Kirk Cousins has had several impressive passing performances this season, but his Week 9 game against San Francisco highlighted the risks of relying on Las Vegas' offense. In that matchup, Cousins completed 22 of 32 passes for 216 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions, contributing to the Raiders' 38-17 loss. The turnovers hindered Las Vegas from building consistent offensive momentum, which significantly affected his fantasy production.
Looking ahead, the Seattle Seahawks present another tough challenge. Last weekend, they held the Arizona Cardinals to just three points, preventing them from scoring a touchdown while dominating the game defensively. Cousins has shown that he can accumulate significant passing yardage, especially when the Raiders are forced to pass frequently. However, his limited rushing ability makes him heavily reliant on scoring touchdowns and avoiding interceptions. Given Seattle's ability to apply pressure and challenge receivers downfield, Cousins has more risks than most managers would want from a weekly starter.
Geno Smith, NYJ (vs. BUF)
Article Continues BelowGeno Smith's recent performance has become increasingly unpredictable, and facing Buffalo is unlikely to improve his situation. In Week 9, the Jets quarterback completed 18 of 32 passes for just 165 yards and did not throw a touchdown against Kansas City. He was also sacked five times as New York lost 35-12. This performance marked a significant decline from his previous two games, in which he combined for five passing touchdowns against Miami and Las Vegas.
Heading into Week 10, the Buffalo Bills are coming off a convincing 23-6 victory over Minnesota, where they forced three turnovers and prevented the Vikings from establishing any meaningful offensive rhythm. While New York may need to adopt a pass-heavy approach, this does not necessarily lead to favorable fantasy production. Smith has struggled when facing consistent pressure from opposing defenses, and the Jets have had difficulty protecting him.
Gardner Minshew II, ARI (vs. LAR)
Gardner Minshew had an encouraging performance against Dallas in Week 8, throwing three touchdowns without an interception during Arizona's 33-30 victory, but sustaining that success proved challenging against Seattle. In Week 9, Minshew completed 21 of 30 passes for 166 yards but did not throw any touchdowns, as the Cardinals managed to score only three points. Arizona struggled to create explosive plays, which limited his fantasy production, despite a respectable completion percentage.
The upcoming matchup against the Rams presents another tough challenge, especially for an offense that has struggled with consistency. Los Angeles demonstrated its defensive strength by holding Washington to just 13 points last weekend, showing an ability to control games without allowing significant passing production.
While Minshew is capable of delivering efficient performances at times, his lack of rushing ability and Arizona's inconsistent scoring opportunities make him difficult to trust for fantasy purposes. Fantasy managers should be cautious about chasing his Week 8 touchdown total against a defense that has been performing well recently.
Other Sits: Cam Ward, TEN (vs. JAX); Justin Herbert, LAC (@ BAL).