Fantasy Footballers Podcast – January 20, 2026

Episode: The TRUTH: QBs Part 2 + Coaching Crazyness, Divisional Recap
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the recent NFL Divisional Playoff action and unpacks a whirlwind of coaching changes across the league. The hosts also present their annual “The TRUTH” series: an evidence-based analysis of fantasy football quarterbacks outside the top 10, putting a spotlight on consistency, streaming approaches, and fantasy-relevant takeaways for 2026 and beyond. As always, the trio weaves in their trademark banter and strong opinions on player values, coaching impacts, and fantasy strategy.

Divisional Round Recap & Team Fan Lamentations

Timestamps: 02:01–16:41

• The show opens with banter on the heartbreak of recent playoff exits, especially for Andy’s Bills (“Should have won the dang game, man... Now they don’t have a coach. Everything’s falling apart." – Andy, 02:09).
• The guys joke about their office’s array of fandoms and the emotional rollercoaster of the playoffs.
• Quick recaps:
  • Bills elimination: Josh Allen’s locker room emotions and the loss’s ripple effects.
  • Bears OT loss: Described as “a 52 air yard Hail Mary, 14 yard touchdown,” witnessed by Andy in an ice cream shop with audible gasps all around (04:07).
  • Texans collapse: C.J. Stroud’s struggles are highlighted with damning off-target throw stats: “2025, the worst [off-target throw rate] was Michael Penix… second worst was C.J. Stroud. In 2024, the number one worst... C.J. Stroud. 2023, the worst was Bryce Young; second worst, C.J. Stroud.” – Jason, 07:01.
  • 49ers no-show: “They didn’t remember they had a game this weekend.” – Andy, 06:01.
  • Seahawks dominate: Potential playoff implications with Zach Charbonnet’s injury and Kenneth Walker’s ascension.

Memorable Quote:
“If Stidham does not have to come out here and be amazing. He can’t come out and, you know, be Max Brosmer.” – Jason, 13:20

Coaching Carousel Madness

Timestamps: 17:00–29:39

• Blockbuster Moves:
  • John Harbaugh to Giants: “I’m excited about Harbaugh. It’s a stabilizing force in New York... best case scenario for Giants fans and for fantasy football.” – Andy, 21:06
  • Kevin Stefanski to Falcons.
  • Sean McDermott out in Buffalo; Brandon Beane promoted. “What a roster of offensive weapons you have constructed... such hits such as Brandon Cooks and Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel.” – Mike, 18:12
• Notable Conversations:
  • Green Bay extends Matt LaFleur — “Mountain for is a great coach... not good news if you wanted him out there in the open market.” – Andy, 24:30.
  • Drew Petzing to Lions OC despite criticism: “The part I didn’t like about the Arizona offense is that it was not being adapted... Figure out how to use Kyler Murray.” – Mike, 26:13
  • Robert Saleh to Titans as head coach, raising questions on the offensive direction with a young QB.
  • Eric Bieniemy returns as Chiefs OC after a failed stint in Washington.
• Banter: The Arizona Cardinals are once again the punchline for organizational dysfunction.
• Fantasy Impact: Offensive play-caller changes shake up 2026 fantasy outlooks, especially for QBs and surrounding skill players.

The TRUTH: Deep-Dive on QBs Outside the Top 10

Timestamps: 30:17–64:41

Streaming and Consistency Trends

• 47 different QBs (!) as top-12 fantasy finishers in 2025, approaching the all-time high of 49 in 2021. Shows the chaos and volatility at QB across the league.

  “Every year… 40s. It always makes me giggle. There’s 32 teams and we’re not just talking played football — but finished as one of the best fantasy scorers at the position.” – Jason, 31:23

• 62 different quarterbacks started an NFL game. Only about “10 good ones,” notes Andy.

Quarterback Spotlights

Patrick Mahomes – "Legend, Now Surgically Repaired"

Ranking: QB11 (total), 3rd consistency

• “43% of the games he played were great” – Andy, 33:59
• Elevated by heavy rushing before injury (“He was their number one running back.” – Jason, 34:31).
• 2026 projection complicated by ACL/LCL recovery: “Ready for week one will not include scrambling the way he was.”
• Chiefs desperately need a running game and possibly more WR/TE weapons (discussed as a “rumor meal”).
• Memorable Mahomes stat: “Three straight years... he’s an average touchdown throwing quarterback... that sucks. That’s awful for the NFL.” – Mike, 39:06

Baker Mayfield – "Fall from MVP Candidacy"

Ranking: QB12, 23rd (consistency, F grade)

• “Unplayable late round pick” — only 6% great and 18% good games.
• Early season success derailed by injury and OC changes; another new coordinator incoming for 2026.
• "I hope that he was hurt... I love Baker too much to say he was playing top shape." – Jason, 44:26

Jackson Dart – "Rising Star for 2026"

Ranking: QB13
Consistency: 13

• 50% good games, 21% great, 29% bust.
• Overcame losing top weapons and head coach: “He was doing all of this where Wandell Robinson was his number one guy.” – Mike, 49:10
• Runs 487 yards/9 TDs in '25; “chipped all in” for 2026 breakout.
• ADP outlook: Could be drafted in the 4th–6th round due to high ceiling but some risk.
• “He’s a good pocket passer. I think he’s very inconsistent in there... but he was a rookie. I expect him to get better.” – Jason, 52:06
• If Todd Monken is OC, “that’s Monken’s got a good offense for fantasy football.” – Mike, 53:20

Sam Darnold

Finish: QB14

• “Second half really got away.” – Mike, 55:20
• 50% bust rate, unplayable for fantasy.

Jordan Love

Finish: QB15

• Consistency suffered, ranked 22nd.

Jacoby Brissett

Finish: QB16

• Also inconsistent, 21st.

Lamar Jackson

Finish: QB20

• “Lamar never looked like Lamar from week 11 on to me, ever. Not one game.” – Andy, 56:31
• 46% bust rate; age/injury and coaching turnover fuel uncertainty in 2026 draft value.

Joe Burrow

Finish: QB29 (injury-shortened)

• “It’s the same story. If everybody stays healthy... it’s great, but there’s missing pages every year.” – Andy, 61:10

Jaden Daniels

Finish: 0% ‘great’ games due to injury, but positivity for 2026 given new coaching.

Funniest and Most Memorable Moments

• Jason’s “rumor meal” riff (35:23): “You got a main course rumor? You got a dessert rumor... Veggie rumor? That one sucks.”
• Mocked the Arizona Cardinals ownership and culture repeatedly.
• Name-play with Jackson Dart’s brother “Diesel” Dart (48:19) and an extended riff on youthful vs. grizzled QBs.
• Blunt assessment on backup QBs: “We got about 10 good ones.” – Andy, 33:05

Takeaways for Fantasy Players

• The QB landscape remains highly volatile, furthering the case for streaming/late round targeting unless a true elite emerges.
• Coaching changes (Harbaugh to NYG, Saleh to TEN, Bieniemy back to KC) will have ripple effects — monitor play-callers in the offseason.
• Jackson Dart is a high-upside pick for 2026, particularly if Monken lands as OC in New York.
• Mahomes’s rushing-based fantasy upside may be limited in early 2026, and Kansas City’s skill player overhaul must be tracked.
• Don’t forget QB context and supporting cast: Lamar, Allen, Mahomes lack elite WRs, while Burrow and Stafford thrive with top targets.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “Should have won the dang game, man… Now they don’t have a coach. Everything’s falling apart.” – Andy (02:09)
• “C.J. Stroud… he’s just, he had a great rookie year and is like living on it.” – Jason (07:48)
• “There were two different balls at the end of the game that were perfect throws by Josh Allen to a wide receiver who was not good enough to make the play in Brandon Cooks.” – Jason (18:28)
• “He was, I mean, 6% great, 18% good, 41% bust... This was an unplayable late round pick.” – Andy on Baker Mayfield (41:08)
• “My chips are all in on Jackson Dart.” – Mike (48:11)
• “When you have a good offensive coordinator, that guy just gets poached and turns into a coach for a different team… you’re back into it.” – Mike (42:06)
• “You want that. You want to toe the line. I think Baker does it right… You’re not Cam Newton size wise. You can’t do…” – Andy, on Dart needing to learn to protect himself (52:24)

Segment Timestamps

• 02:01–16:41 – Playoff Recap & Office Banter
• 17:00–29:39 – Coaching Changes & Fantasy Impact
• 30:17–39:09 – QB Truths (Mahomes/Baker)
• 46:52—54:13 – Jackson Dart Deep Dive
• 54:14–62:11 – Rapid-Fire: Darnold, Love, Brissett, Lamar, Burrow, Daniels
• 62:11–End – QBs to Watch & Outro

For Fantasy Managers

The 2026 QB pool will be shaped by returning superstars from injury, major coaching reshuffles, and breakout potential in players like Jackson Dart. The volatility of the position again strengthens the case for being tactical with draft capital, focusing on upside, coaching ecosystems, and depth at QB rather than overpaying for reputation.

Next Up: Top 10 Running Backs (Thursday episode) – “There are tantrums we want to have...”