Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 1 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Too close to call — the edges cancel out.
Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins grade out even this week. Rodgers's best edge is snap share (96% to 86%), and it isn't enough to separate them. Start whichever player's game you trust more this week.
Aaron Rodgers
14.814.814.8 Projected Points
Kirk Cousins
14.714.714.7 Projected Points
Why Aaron Rodgers
StartStarting QB and late-career franchise stabilizer. Elite processor and anticipation thrower with diminished mobility.
Start — QB25 consensus, projects QB24 this week: 96% snap share in 2025, 14.8 PPR projected vs ATL.
- ATL ranks 12 of 32 against QBs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 0-game sample).
- Vegas implies 22.8 team points as 3.0-point favorites.
- Listed QB on the latest depth chart with a 96% snap share in 2025.
Latest on Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers asked Father Paul to bless the quarterbacks during training camp.
The story behind Steelers' viral field blessing: 'God doesn't pick sides'ESPN · Sep 6, 2026The 42-year-old quarterback is in new territory, but he says Pittsburgh's young passers are ahead of where he was as a rookie.
LaFleur recently said Love is "the best I've been around in terms of protections and adjustments."
The Steelers are keeping four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster, with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar earning spots behind starter Aaron Rodgers.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Why Kirk Cousins
StartVeteran starting QB and pocket passer. Timing-and-rhythm thrower with anticipation; bridge starter with limited mobility.
Start — QB26 consensus, projects QB25 this week: 86% snap share in 2025, 14.7 PPR projected vs MIA.
- MIA ranks 19 of 32 against QBs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 0-game sample).
- Vegas implies 22.3 team points as 3.0-point favorites.
- Listed QB on the latest depth chart with a 86% snap share in 2025.
Latest on Cousins
Kirk Cousins is the Raiders' starting quarterback for the Week 1 season opener over Fernando Mendoza.
Raiders name Kirk Cousins starting QB for Week 1 over Fernando MendozaESPN · Sep 3, 2026Kirk Cousins is expected to be the Raiders' Week 1 starting quarterback.
Biggest decisions facing the Raiders ahead of roster cutdown deadlineESPN · Aug 29, 2026Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Aaron Rodgers | Kirk Cousins |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 14.814.814.8 | 14.714.714.7 |
| Consensus rank | QB25 | QB26 |
| Opponent vs position | ATL · 12 of 320-game sample | MIA · 19 of 320-game sample |
| Passing Yards | 15 of 32 | 18 of 32 |
| Passing TDs | 20 of 32 | 21 of 32 |
| Passing Completions | 8 of 32 | 22 of 32 |
| Passing Attempts | 13 of 32 | 9 of 32 |
| Interceptions | 6 of 32 | 23 of 32 |
| Implied total · spread | 22.8-3.0 | 22.3-3.0 |
| Depth chart | QB1 | QB1 |
| Snap share | 96%(2025) | 86%(2025) |
Signal breakdown
- 14.8 vs 14.7 projected PPR pointsAaron Rodgers +
- Rank 25 vs 26Aaron Rodgers +
- Opponent DvP rank 12 vs 19 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 22.8 vs 22.3 team pointsAaron Rodgers +
- No injury designationseven
- 96% vs 86% snap shareAaron Rodgers +
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