While bye weeks are an NFL team’s best friend, they are a pain in the neck for fantasy football players. The 2025 NFL season is several weeks away. Yet, now is the time to plan for bye weeks, especially at the quarterback position.
Bye weeks begin in Week 5 and run through Week 14. However, no teams are on a bye in Week 13 because of the Thanksgiving triple header and the Black Friday game. With nine bye weeks to account for, fantasy players must do their homework and plan for bye week replacements.
In this article, the top 12 quarterbacks, according to FantasyPros Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR), will be labeled as starting quarterbacks to cover the typical 12-team fantasy league. I have provided two target replacements for every bye week to help you find the best matchup for your starting quarterback’s bye. Pay attention to the repeat names in this article and the defenses you want to pick on this season.
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Bye Week QB Analysis & Replacements
Also, take advantage of FantasyPros’ Bye Week Cheat Sheet and Quarterback by Committee Finder before your draft. These are excellent tools to help you win your draft and league.
Week 5
- Starting Quarterbacks on a Bye: Caleb Williams (CHI)
- Target Streamers: Justin Herbert (LAC) vs. WAS, Jared Goff (DET) at CIN
While Herbert falls just outside the top 12 quarterbacks in the ECR, the superstar likely won’t be on the waiver wire come Week 5, so fantasy players need to plan ahead. Last year, he was the QB11, averaging 16.8 fantasy points per game despite Jim Harbaugh’s love for running the ball. Furthermore, Herbert’s 23 passing touchdowns ranked 12th in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Commanders improved their defense this offseason. Yet, this matchup could result in a high-scoring contest between two talented offenses.
Last year, Goff finished the season as the QB6, averaging 19.1 fantasy points per game. He had 37 passing touchdowns, the fourth-most in the NFL and a personal best. While losing Ben Johnson is significant, the offense should be clicking by this point in the year. Meanwhile, the Bengals might have the worst defense and the best offense in the league. Therefore, no one should be surprised if this game is one of the highest-scoring contests in 2025.
Week 6
- Starting Quarterbacks on a Bye: None
- Target Streamers: Jordan Love (GB) vs. CIN, Sam Darnold (SEA) at JAC
Fantasy players can likely avoid having to find a bye week replacement quarterback in Week 6, as none of the top 12 guys are off that week. However, Love is an appealing streaming option or injury replacement because of the matchup against the Bengals. Last year, they surrendered 20.3 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the fifth-most in the NFL. Furthermore, Love should be firing on all cylinders with his new pair of rookie wide receivers just in time for this game.
No one will like the idea of starting Darnold in fantasy outside of superflex leagues. However, don’t discredit the veteran as a solid streaming option throughout the season. While his situation in Seattle isn’t as good as last year in Minnesota, Darnold does have some weapons in the passing game. More importantly, the Jaguars’ defense will likely be one of the worst in the NFL, giving the veteran a chance to have a top-12 finish in Week 6.
Week 7
- Starting Quarterbacks on a Bye: Josh Allen (BUF), Lamar Jackson (BAL)
- Target Streamers: Jared Goff (DET) vs. TB, Matthew Stafford (LAR) at JAC
Goff makes the list of target streamers for the second but not last time. The veteran likely will see some touchdown regression after having a career year in 2024. Yet, the matchup against Tampa Bay will likely lead to Goff throwing at a higher-than-normal rate. The Buccaneers have one of the top run defenses in the NFL. More importantly, the veteran has had over 20 fantasy points and two passing touchdowns in two of his past three matchups against Tampa Bay.
While Stafford’s matchup against Jacksonville counts as a road game, the contest is an international matchup. The Jaguars have experience playing overseas. Yet, that hardly makes this game a home game for them. Stafford will be an underrated streaming option all year long. Yet, the future Hall of Famer has two elite wide receivers and will face one of the worst projected defenses in the NFL right when many will be without the top two quarterbacks in fantasy.
Week 8
- Starting Quarterbacks on a Bye: Kyler Murray (ARI)
- Target Streamers: Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) at ATL, Aaron Rodgers (PIT) vs. GB
Hopefully, Tagovailoa can stay healthy this season after missing six games last season, including four with a concussion. The Dolphins’ offense is significantly better with the franchise quarterback, averaging 10.8 more points per game when he starts versus the backup in 2024. More importantly, Atlanta hasn’t had a good pass defense in years. While their two first-round rookie pass rushers might help, don’t expect it to scare away fantasy players from streaming quarterbacks against the Falcons.
Unfortunately, Rodgers’ days as a top-tier fantasy quarterback are over. However, he is still a capable streaming option despite playing in Arthur Smith’s unfriendly offense. More importantly, not even the annoying offensive coordinator can keep Rodgers’ emotions in check when facing his former team for the first time in his career. While the Packers defense isn’t a cake walk, don’t be surprised if the future Hall of Famer has his best performance of 2025 against his former team.
Week 9
- Starting Quarterbacks on a Bye: Jalen Hurts (PHI), Baker Mayfield (TB), Justin Fields (NYJ)
- Target Streamers: J.J. McCarthy (MIN) at DET, Geno Smith (LV) vs. JAC
I have high hopes for McCarthy after he missed his rookie season with a knee injury. While the former Michigan star might take a few weeks to find his footing in the NFL, don’t be surprised if McCarthy is a popular streaming candidate ahead of the matchup against Detroit. Both teams have talented defenses on paper that never live up to their potential. Meanwhile, both offenses have massive firepower, making this contest likely one of the highest-scoring games of the year.
Las Vegas won’t have an explosive and flashy offense this season, especially after drafting Ashton Jeanty. Yet, Smith can be an appealing streaming option for fantasy players, especially in Week 9, because of the matchup. The veteran was the QB14 last year, averaging 15.6 fantasy points per game. More importantly, the Jaguars were one of the most fantasy-friendly teams to opposing quarterbacks and tight ends in 2024. Therefore, expect strong fantasy performances from Smith and Brock Bowers.
Week 10
- Starting Quarterbacks on a Bye: Joe Burrow (CIN), Patrick Mahomes (KC)
- Target Streamers: Drake Maye (NE) at TB, C.J. Stroud (HOU) vs. JAC
Maye lacks the weapons to finish the season as a top-10 quarterback. However, he should be an appealing streaming option. Last year, the former UNC averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game in the 11 contests where he played over 32% of snaps. More importantly, the Patriots added Stefon Diggs and built up their offensive line this offseason, significantly improving Maye’s supporting cast. Don’t be surprised if he has a top-five finish in Week 10 against a likely poor Tampa Bay pass defense.
Unfortunately, Stroud fell well short of expectations in 2024 after an impressive rookie season. Yet, the star quarterback is primed for a bounce-back year. The Texans shook up their offensive line and improved their wide receiver corps, trading for Christian Kirk and drafting two Day 2 rookies. More importantly, Stroud has averaged 1.8 passing touchdowns and 22.4 fantasy points per game in four career matchups against the AFC South division rivals, totaling 20.6 or more in all but one contest.
Week 11
- Starting Quarterbacks on a Bye: None
- Target Streamers: Dak Prescott (DAL) at LV, Justin Herbert (LAC) at JAC
None of the top 12 quarterbacks in the ECR have a bye in Week 11. However, fantasy players might need to find an injury replacement or a long-term starter. While his 2024 season was a bust because of injury, Prescott was outstanding the year before, finishing as the QB3, averaging 20.2 fantasy points per game. Don’t be surprised if the veteran has one of his better fantasy performances in Week 11 against the Raiders.
Hopefully, fantasy players have learned by now that picking on the Jaguars’ defense will play a significant role in streaming quarterbacks this season. Herbert doesn’t have massive fantasy upside because of the Chargers’ run-first offense. Yet, the star quarterback could have a top-five finish in Week 11 because of the matchup against Jacksonville. Last year, they surrendered the second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks (20.8) and the seventh-most passing touchdowns (26) in the NFL.
Week 12
- Starting Quarterbacks on a Bye: Jayden Daniels (WAS), Bo Nix (DEN)
- Target Streamers: Drake Maye (NE) at CIN, Matthew Stafford (LAR) vs. TB
Unfortunately, fantasy players will be without the top two rookie quarterbacks from last year’s draft class in Week 12. Thankfully, another second-year passer has an excellent matchup against the Bengals, making him an appealing bye-week replacement. Despite a lack of weapons and an awful offensive line, Maye was impressive as a rookie. Hopefully, the former UNC star is clicking with Stefon Diggs and the rest of his receiving corps for this matchup against an awful Cincinnati pass defense.
While Stafford hasn’t faced the Buccaneers in two years, the future Hall of Famer should have one of his top fantasy performances in 2025 against Tampa Bay. Last year, they surrendered 20.6 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the fourth-most in the NFL. Despite making some improvements this offseason, fantasy players should target quarterbacks off the waiver wire when they face the Buccaneers. Don’t be surprised if Stafford has a four-touchdown performance against the reigning NFC South division champions.
Week 14
- Starting Quarterbacks on a Bye: Brock Purdy (SF)
- Target Streamers: Jared Goff (DET) vs. DAL, Dak Prescott (DAL) at DET
Thankfully, the NFL didn’t screw over fantasy players by having several elite offenses taking their bye in Week 14. Last year, three of the top-10 quarterbacks in the rankings had their bye during the final week of the fantasy regular season. Unfortunately, fantasy players will be without Purdy in Week 14 this season. However, there won’t be a lack of replacement options on the waiver wire. The most appealing two quarterbacks will face off in what should be a high-scoring contest.
Goff and the Lions will host Prescott and the Cowboys in what could be the best Thursday Night Football matchup of the year. These two teams faced off last season, with Goff totaling three passing touchdowns and 25.1 fantasy points. Unfortunately, Prescott struggled in that game. However, he played well in the 2023 matchup against Detroit, totaling 20.3 fantasy points and two touchdowns. While these two teams will face off on a short week, don’t be surprised if it’s the highest-scoring game of Week 14.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
