Welcome to Week 2 Exempt Wire Watch!
The 2025 NFL season is finally here, and with it comes another round of fantasy football excitement for managers across all kinds of formats. After the first week, some of you might already be thinking about ways to strengthen your quarterback lineup. Well, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s take a look at some QB performances from the first week. This is essentially your guide to sifting through the exemption wire before week two. We’re highlighting players who will be considered starters in around 60% of leagues, along with those who are top exemption targets.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons (29%)
The Falcons put in a solid effort during their 23-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with Younghoe Koo missing a crucial field goal that could have sent the game into overtime. But there’s a silver lining: Penix seems poised to be the franchise quarterback. He completed 27 of 42 passes for 298 yards, throwing one touchdown and even adding another on the ground.
His rushing TD was definitely a standout moment, giving the Falcons a brief lead in the second quarter. With a fine tally of 24.0 fantasy points, he’s someone to consider if your QB situation needs help after week one.
Week 2 matchup: @Minnesota Vikings, 8:20 PM
Geno Smith, QB, Las Vegas Raiders (16.2%)
Smith’s first game with the Raiders was quite successful, leading to a 20-13 victory over the New England Patriots. The 34-year-old veteran quickly built trust with key players like Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, finishing 24 of 34 for 362 yards with touchdowns and an interception. That earned him 18.5 fantasy points on the day.
Notably, he was among only three quarterbacks to exceed 300 yards that Sunday and had a solid yards-per-attempt figure of 10.6. Smith’s ability to make big throws could really pay off as the season progresses, making him a worthy candidate to consider from the exemption wire this week.
Week 2 matchup: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 10 PM (Monday night)
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (13.3%)
Rodgers worked to dispel any doubts about his prowess in week one, leading the New York Jets to a nail-biting 34-32 victory against his former team. The 41-year-old quarterback seemed to reclaim some of his former glory, earning an impressive 25.7 fantasy points with 244 yards and four touchdowns, completing 22 of 30 attempts.
This performance was one of the best we’ve seen from a Steelers QB lately, suggesting that he could return to being a reliable fantasy option moving forward.
Week 2 matchup: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 PM
Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts (7.7%)
The most surprising performance came from the Colts in their 33-8 blowout against the Miami Dolphins. Jones, who edged out Anthony Richardson for the starting role, threw for 276 yards, completed 22 of 29 passes, and added two rushing touchdowns.
When healthy, Jones has shown that his running ability can make him a valuable fantasy asset, and he proved that on Sunday. By the end of the day, he ranked alongside Justin Fields as the week’s top fantasy performer with 29.5 points. While it’s unlikely he’ll maintain this level of play every week, he’s definitely shown he’s worth considering for your roster.
Week 2 matchup: vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 PM
