Welcome to the weekly Fantasy Notebook, the must-stop spot for keeping your finger on the pulse of Fantasy Nation. NFL news and developments drive fantasy values. The Notebook is here to keep you in the loop on all of it throughout the season -- and into the offseason.
The Last Major Tentpole
Well, all the major NFL "tentpole" events are behind us. The scouting combine, free agency, the NFL Draft, and this past week, the release of the 2026 schedule.
You'll find no shortage of 2026 NFL Schedule Release content currently on the site. Please dive into our offerings, including our Schedule Grid, Bye Weeks, Strength of Schedule, Prime Time Games, Revenge Games, and ranking the International Games.
Not that there isn't going to be plenty to follow along between now and the start of training camps in July. In addition to ongoing organized team activities (OTAs), we'll have a mix of voluntary workouts and mandatory minicamps -- and all the news and notes that go with them.
There are still unresolved issues -- we're all waiting for that A.J. Brown trade we've been promised. But for the most part, it should be quiet.
It's a Great Time for a Reset
I know many of you have been following along all offseason, and if you haven't, feel free to peruse all my 2026 Fantasy Notebooks and other articles here.
So, while I might be covering some familiar territory, I want to take the next month to revisit and reset the baseline of information on key fantasy storylines heading into the summer.
We'll get the ball rolling this week with the quarterbacks, where competition -- whether legitimate, perceived, media-created, or simple pressure dynamics -- is the theme . . .
Battle On In Minnesota?
Since Kyler Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings in March, it's been widely assumed he would be handed the starting quarterback job after two seemingly failed seasons for J.J. McCarthy.
Not so fast.
Minnesota will host a good, old-fashioned quarterback battle between McCarthy and Murray this offseason, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.
"They envision it being a true competition: Kyler Murray versus J.J. McCarthy," Pelissero said during a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. "And both these guys are going to go into this believing they're gonna win this job. I don't know, frankly, how friendly that quarterback room is going to be. It's going to be a very competitive quarterback room.
"From everything that I've understood, it is truly wide open; they're keeping an open mind as a coaching staff."
Really?
Head coach Kevin O'Connell called for more depth and competition in the QB room in January, while interim general manager Rob Brzezinski said in February that the franchise would "explore every opportunity" at QB in the offseason.
That opportunity arrived with Murray's release by the Cardinals. He quickly signed a league minimum deal with the Vikings.
The Big-Picture Comparison Is Stark
This is where I remind you how McCarthy has struggled in the two seasons since the Vikings chose him 10th overall in an already celebrated 2024 NFL Draft. Some of the problems have been self-inflicted, while others have been the result of injuries.
McCarthy missed all of his rookie campaign with a knee injury and dealt with multiple injuries in his sophomore season. He completed a meager 57.6 percent of his passes for 163.2 yards per game last season. He threw just 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He added 181 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
The first overall pick of the 2019 draft, Murray is one of five players in NFL history, along with Buffalo's Josh Allen, Baltimore's Lamar Jackson, New York's Russell Wilson, and former Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, to throw for more than 20,000 yards and run for more than 3,000 yards in their seven seasons.
Murray was fantasy's QB2 overall in 2020.
He's thrown for 121 touchdowns and 60 interceptions in seven seasons. Murray also has 32 rushing touchdowns.
Recent History? That's Different
While the overall experience and career resume tilt noticeably toward Murray, a 2025 comparison doesn't show a wide gap between the two.
Murray played in just five games for Arizona due to a foot injury, posting a 2-3 record as a starter, completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 192.4 yards per game, six touchdowns, and three interceptions with 173 rushing yards and one touchdown.
The aforementioned injuries limited McCarthy to 10 games last year. But he posted a 6-4 record in those games. The fantasy numbers were not great. He scored 20-plus fantasy points in three games and 18 in another, but he had single-digit scoring in five of his other six outings.
Of course, it wasn't just disappointing for McCarthy . . .
The Bigger Issue
As Profootballtalk.com's Myles Simmons reminded readers this week, Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson had a consistent starting quarterback for his first four seasons in Kirk Cousins.
While Sam Darnold played well for the Vikings in 2024, Minnesota started three QBs in 2025 with mainly poor results: McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer.
The trio combined to throw for just 2,802 yards with 17 touchdowns and 21 interceptions on a 61.4 percent completion rate (running back Cam Akers also had a 32-yard touchdown pass).
That level of play was a factor in Jefferson posting a career-low 1,048 receiving yards on 84 catches with two touchdowns in 17 games. The only other time in his six-year career he fell shy of 1,400 yards was 2023, when he played 10 games due to injury (1,074).
For fantasy investors, Jefferson finished the 2025 season as WR20. But his 11.9-point per game average -- which ranked 30th -- better reflects just how bad it was.
Change is in the Air
While there's no doubt the Vikings quarterback room has a very different vibe from a year ago, when McCarthy was the clear No. 1, the notion that it's a legitimate competition is a change from what we expected.
The question is whether McCarthy will step up and fight Murray for the starting gig or become the latest first-rounder in search of a second chance elsewhere.
Jefferson believes the pressure now on McCarthy will be good for his development.
"I'm definitely looking for those big, exciting plays [from Murray]," Jefferson said Monday, via ESPN. "And then for J.J., for somebody to enter that room with that type of ability, that type of talent, he's got to step it up a little bit.
"So it's good for him to feel that type of pressure and to really lock in a little bit and say, 'It's either now or I'm going to take that back seat again.'"
I disagree with Jefferson's belief that McCarthy benefits -- in either the short or long term.
The Prediction
I'll still be shocked if Murray doesn't beat McCarthy out to earn the starting job. The good news is, we'll have plenty of time to watch how things play out before our drafts that matter most late this summer.
But those in early best-ball drafts will face an interesting upside vs. risk assessment.
Murray is currently being drafted as QB17. It won't be a surprise if that price falls as news of a "true competition" with McCarthy spreads. The list of QBs currently going after him -- Tyler Shough (QB18), Jordan Love (QB19), Baker Mayfield (QB20), Malik Willis (QB21), and Daniel Jones (QB24) -- all have some appeal.
I'd still take a shot on him over Love, but if Murray falls behind the rest of this field (into QB3 territory), I'll be all in on the former Cardinal.
Herbert vs. "The Mechanics"
According to ESPN.com's Kris Rhim, Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel outlined his plan Friday to reshape the way Justin Herbert plays quarterback.
It starts with refining Herbert's footwork, timing, and anticipation to unlock the "best football of his career."
The ultimate goal?
"For him to own the position in a way he never has and ultimately for it to be obvious to everyone around, he's playing the best football of his career," McDaniel said.
And the new playcaller has some specific tweaks in mind.
It's All About the Timing
McDaniel pointed to the success Herbert has had with 2.4 seconds to throw or on extended plays, but noted that Herbert's efficiency drops as that time to throw reaches three seconds.
"He's got a very strong arm with a lot of ball speed, so typically guys like that have to wait to see something open and then throw it," McDaniel said. "And in those microseconds, defenders get closer to the eligibles that are catching it, so you have fewer yards after catch.
"So, focusing on utilizing that strong arm and tying some quick footwork stuff, just overall it's just a piece of the offense, but it's a portion of the offense that I knew that he hadn't really done in the past, and so that's been what's impressive."
According to ESPN research, Herbert threw six touchdowns to three interceptions last season on throws released within 2.4 seconds. Once plays extended into the intermediate timing window, between roughly 2.4 and 3.5 seconds, his efficiency dipped.
But when plays stretched beyond structure, Herbert again became one of the league's most productive quarterbacks, throwing 10 touchdowns while being sacked an NFL-high 49 times.
Those stats follow the trend of Herbert's career, and it's encouraging to see McDaniel pick up on it and work to correct it.
All In
As McDaniel has tried to reshape the way one of the league's best quarterbacks thinks and plays, he's been surprised at how willing and malleable Herbert has been, mastering new things in just a few days.
"Typically, elite performers don't like to try new things," he said. "... He's really let go, been all in."
McDaniel coached Tua Tagovailoa, selected one pick ahead of Herbert in the 2020 NFL draft, during his four seasons in Miami and hinted Friday that he has used comparisons from Herbert's draft class as motivational fuel.
"I found some digs relative to other players that play his position, and maybe other players have been drafted around him," McDaniel said. "... He's a competitor that responds to a challenge."
As PFT's Mike Florio suggests, Herbert should be all in.
He finished outside the top 10 in passer rating last season. He's only landed in the top 10 once in his career, when he ranked seventh in 2024 with a passer rating of 101.7.
Florio went on to remind readers that McDaniel, who coaxed impressive performances from a quarterback in Miami who was drafted one spot before Herbert, the coach has someone who can make things happen when the play extends. If McDaniel can get more out of Herbert with quick reads and quick throws via plays that are schemed to have someone pop open quickly, that could be the key to making Herbert great, not good.
And that would be great news for Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Tre' Harris, Oronde Gadsden, and maybe even David Njoku.
What Are the Odds?
Herbert, who is currently being drafted as QB11, has finished between 10th and 17th in fantasy points per game in each of the last four seasons.
But he was QB3 in 2021.
So even if we feel like we're paying for his recent ceiling right now, believing a QB with rushing upside like Herbert does can rise closer to his 2021 finish with an improved supporting cast, the return to health of star tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, and a new playcaller in McDaniel, isn't a huge reach.
May the Best Man Win in Vegas
Kirk Cousins is expected to start at quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders to begin the 2026 season due to his experience and familiarity with the system.
However, 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is expected to compete for the job.
While there's a chance Mendoza beats out Cousins for the starting job, CBS Sports NFL analyst Nate Burleson doesn't see that scenario playing out as training camp approaches.
"I think Kirk's going to have to fumble that opportunity away," Burleson said in a May 5 video posted by Sports Illustrated. "[Mendoza is] not going to beat out Kirk Cousins right now. Kirk is still a veteran, and if you look at the money they paid him, he's going there to play quarterback.
"You don't pay a guy that much to teach a young buck how to throw the ball."
Familiarity Helps
The move to Vegas reunites Cousins with incoming Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, who was the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2019-21).
During that stretch with Kubiak in Minnesota, Cousins passed for 12,089 yards, 94 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions, and he had a completion rate of 67.6 percent. Kubiak was the offensive coordinator in 2021 when Cousins was named to the Pro Bowl after throwing for 4,221 yards and 33 touchdowns with a passer rating of 103.1 and a completion rate of 66.3 percent.
The deal with Vegas will pay the four-time Pro Bowler $20 million in guaranteed money in 2026.
But This Will Be a Legitimate Competition
Remember, we learned before the draft that Mendoza was already learning the Raiders' offense under the supervision of former NFL quarterback and assistant coach Brian Griese.
Griese and Kubiak spent a year together with the 49ers in 2023. Griese left coaching after the 2024 season.
Cousins, meanwhile, was disappointed in 2024 when he signed with the Falcons only to have them draft quarterback Michael Penix Jr. a month later.
But this year, Cousins is going into the draft with his eyes open: He knows the Raiders' franchise quarterback is Mendoza. The veteran told Kubiak that he's fine serving as a bridge and mentor. "I honestly don't want to start unless I'm the best option, and I told Klint that," Cousins said. "The best player should play."
The Raiders are certainly playing that angle up on social media.
We heard you wanted Kirk and Fernando wallpapers. 📱 pic.twitter.com/or2g8CUuCJ
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 15, 2026
For our purposes, having Cousins on board to serve as the starter until Mendoza is ready to hit the ground running is the best possible outcome for Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty, and any other Raiders who might be in our fantasy plans.
The Favorite
As PFT pointed out Thursday night, the sportsbooks like Cousins to start Week 1, but the NFL made it easier for the Raiders to start Mendoza from the jump.
Las Vegas opens the season with the Dolphins on Sept. 13, followed by the Chargers and Saints.
The Dolphins are rebuilding; the Chargers' defense lost defensive coordinator Jesse Minter; and the Saints have 11 total wins the past two seasons.
If the Raiders wait until later in the season to start Mendoza, they could do it in Week 12 against the Browns, which is followed by a bye week. The Raiders then close with the Chargers, Broncos, Titans, Cardinals, and Chiefs.
The Raiders were one of five teams not to get a primetime game in 2026, so the NFL won't showcase Mendoza this season if he becomes the starter at any point this season.
Either way, the situation makes it difficult for fantasy managers to invest in a Raiders quarterback.
That said, we can still root for Cousins to get the nod.
For the Obvious Reason
If Cousins starts the season under center over Mendoza, it would be a clear win for star tight end Brock Bowers.
Cousins has a long history of maximizing the talents of his tight ends.
As noted in a previous Notebook, in 2023, the QB's final season in Minnesota, T.J. Hockenson was TE4 when Cousins was injured in Week 8. Kyle Rudolph was TE7 in 2018, Cousins' first season as a Viking. Washington's Jordan Reed was TE2 in 2015, Cousins' first season as an NFL starter, and TE11 in 2016.
Last year, when Cousins took over late in Atlanta, it helped unlock the best of Kyle Pitts Sr., who finished the season as TE2.
In Kubiak's system, Bowers should continue his ascent toward being the top TE in football, regardless of whether it's Cousins or Mendoza under center for the bulk of the season.
But starting with Cousins? That would be ideal . . .