Geno Smith · Sam Darnold · 2026 week 9

Geno Smith or Sam Darnold?

Wondering who you should start this week — Geno Smith or Sam Darnold? The start/sit call and the numbers behind it are below, plus who wins a straight-up trade. Rebuilt nightly.

Start Sam DarnoldSam Darnold projects 2.5 PPR points clear of Geno Smith in week 9, drawing LV — the 5th-ranked matchup for QBs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 9	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Geno Smith	@ KC	14.6	28th · tough	18.8	138	healthy
Sam Darnold START	@ LV	17.1	5th · soft	15.5	166	Out

QBs vs KC recently: Justin Herbert 9.8 pts (W6) · Sam Darnold 15 pts (W7) · Bo Nix 19.3 pts (W8).

QBs vs LV recently: Josh Allen 18.3 pts (W6) · Matthew Stafford 18.5 pts (W7) · Geno Smith 19 pts (W8).

🎓 The coach's read

Sam Darnold projects 2.5 points higher in PPR.
Geno Smith faces KC, 28th most generous to QBs.
Sam Darnold faces LV, 5th most generous to QBs.
Sam Darnold is flagged OUT.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Sam Darnold carries the higher trade value — 166 against 138 (a 17% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Sam Darnold gets the most. Momentum: Geno Smith +101 and Sam Darnold -328 over the last 30 days.

Open in Start/Sit (any scoring) Open in the Trade Analyzer

More QB decisions

Geno Smith or Malik Willis?Geno Smith or J.J. McCarthy?Sam Darnold or Michael Penix Jr.?Sam Darnold or Aaron Rodgers?Sam Darnold or Malik Willis?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.