Michael Penix · Sam Darnold · 2026 week 5

Michael Penix or Sam Darnold?

Wondering who you should start this week — Michael Penix 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 1.8 PPR points clear of Michael Penix in week 5, drawing SF — the 26th-ranked matchup for QBs. The numbers behind the call are below; overrule them with your eyes open.

Player	Wk 5	Proj (PPR)	Matchup	Form L3	Trade value	Status
Michael Penix	vs BAL	14.7	16th	13.9	194	healthy
Sam Darnold START	vs SF	16.5	26th · tough	14.8	336	healthy

QBs vs BAL recently: Tyler Shough 22.4 pts (W2) · Dak Prescott 18.9 pts (W3) · Cam Ward 16.6 pts (W4).

QBs vs SF recently: Malik Willis 12.5 pts (W2) · Jacoby Brissett 25.6 pts (W3) · Bo Nix 13.6 pts (W4).

🎓 The coach's read

Sam Darnold projects 1.8 points higher in PPR.
Michael Penix faces BAL, 16th most generous to QBs.
Sam Darnold faces SF, 26th most generous to QBs.

Who wins a straight-up trade?

Sam Darnold carries the higher trade value — 336 against 194 (a 42% gap). In a one-for-one, the side receiving Sam Darnold gets the most. Momentum: Michael Penix +194 and Sam Darnold -134 over the last 30 days.

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

More QB decisions

Michael Penix or Kyler Murray?Michael Penix or Jacoby Brissett?Sam Darnold or C.J. Stroud?Sam Darnold or Jordan Love?Sam Darnold or Kirk Cousins?

All numbers are the 2026 season, refreshed nightly.