Looking at the three toughest fantasy football strength of schedules for the quarterback position in 2026, including Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza.
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Out of all the positions in fantasy football, quarterback is the one position that seemingly everyone values differently. If you’re like me and you don’t spend high draft capital on the position, it’s important to know which quarterbacks to target late in the draft. With so many solid options in the later rounds of the draft, one of the biggest difference-makers can be the schedule and who plays the weakest opponents.
To make the decision easier for you, we are breaking down the three toughest QB fantasy football schedules to help you make that tough decision. Also, check out our quarterback fantasy football rankings!
Toughest Fantasy Football Strength of Schedules For QBs 2026
1. Las Vegas Raiders – Kirk Cousins/Fernando Mendoza
The Las Vegas Raiders took Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the draft this past year, and while the consensus is that Kirk Cousins will start, that has not yet been confirmed by head coach Klint Kubiak. Regardless of who starts, anyone who wants to avoid last-place punishments needs to avoid this quarterback room at all costs. With a receiving room that is poor at best, there is little talent surrounding Cousins and Mendoza. Now, they have the toughest schedule to deal with as well.
The issue with the schedule for the Raiders is not just that it’s tough, it’s that it’s toughest during the fantasy playoffs. Most fantasy leagues have their playoffs start in Week 15, so the three or four weeks before that are crucial to making the dance. In Weeks 11-14, the Raiders go on the road to Denver, Cleveland, have a bye and then face off against the Los Angeles Chargers at home. Of those three matchups, the “best” one comes against the Broncos, who allowed 14.2 points per game to quarterbacks last season. That is a whole two points below the league average from the “best” matchup. While the Raiders do match up against a poor Tennessee Titans defense in Week 16, your team won’t be alive that late if you’re starting either of these two quarterbacks.
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2. New York Jets – Geno Smith
Honestly, I could tell you to stay away from the New York Jets quarterback based solely on recent history, and nobody would bat an eye. Add in the fact that Geno Smith is their starter and now you’d have to pay most fantasy owners to even pick him up as a free agent. Now also consider the fact that the Jets have the second-toughest schedule for quarterbacks, and anyone who drafts Smith should be admitted to an insane asylum.
Simply put, Geno Smith sucks, the Jets suck, and now they have a schedule that would make it tough for even the best of quarterbacks to produce. Admittedly, the toughest games for the Jets quarterbacks come in Weeks 17 and 18 when your fantasy season is likely already over, but it’s really irrelevant when it comes to the Jets. With a late Week 13 bye on the books as well, it’s best to stay away from the Jets… as all smart fantasy owners have since about 2010.
3. Chicago Bears – Caleb Williams
I don’t care if he’s on the cover of Madden. I don’t care that he led two “comebacks” over the Green Bay Packers and “won” a playoff game. Caleb Williams blows chunks. Truly, the only two games Bears fans point to to try to prove that he’s good are his two games against the Packers, yet they refuse to acknowledge his garbage play is why they needed a comeback in the first place. It also glosses over the fact that Matt LaFleur and Brandon McManus choked the games away, but nevertheless, the point is Williams sucks.
Last year, Williams had an offensive line that ranked first in pass block win rate, fourth in pass block PFF grade, third in pressure rate over expectation and third in average time to throw. Even with that help, he finished 22nd in passer rating, 28th in completion percentage over expectation, 30th in adjusted completion percentage, and 34th in catchable throw rate. Now he faces the third-toughest fantasy football strength of schedule against quarterbacks. Williams has a brutal matchup each of the first three weeks of the season and also faces two of the toughest defenses in Weeks 15 and 16 when your playoffs likely are.
I know I threw a lot of stats at you, so let me make it simple: Caleb had an insanely lucky year last year; he and the offensive line are due for regression, AND he has one of the toughest schedules amongst quarterbacks. Draft him at your own risk.
