Welcome to Week 10 Exemption Wire Watch!
The NFL weekend games are nearly lined up, and we’re officially at the halfway mark of the 2025 regular season. Over the weekend, a few quarterbacks really stood out, and some of them are still available on the waiver wire.
Let’s dive into some players worth considering from the waiver wire as we head into Week 10. We’ll categorize exempt additions as players who are rostered in up to 60% of leagues.
Week 10 Bye Teams
Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans
Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks (38.5%)
Darnold had a fantastic performance leading the Commanders to a 38-14 victory on Sunday night, marking the Seahawks’ third consecutive win. He scored nearly 28.2 fantasy points, throwing for 330 yards and four touchdowns, with just one interception marring an otherwise impressive outing. You might not have noticed, but Darnold is currently having a top-five season, leading all QBs in completion percentage and yards per attempt.
Interestingly, he’s available in under 40% of fantasy leagues, which is surprising. If you’re seeking a QB midway through the season, Darnold could be a great addition to help you push forward toward the playoffs.
Week 10 Matchup
vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons (17.1%)
The Falcons narrowly lost 24-23 to the Patriots due to a missed field goal in the closing moments, which dims their playoff prospects with three consecutive defeats. On the brighter side, Penix had a solid return from his knee injury, throwing for 221 yards and three touchdowns, racking up 22.7 fantasy points. He seems to be finding his groove after a shaky start, amassing 712 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions over his last three games.
Next Sunday, Penix and the Falcons will head overseas for a matchup with the Colts in Germany, which is crucial for both him and the team. If you believe he can thrive in this high-pressure scenario, he might be available on your waiver wire this week.
Week 10 Matchup
vs. Indianapolis Colts, 9:30 a.m. ET (Berlin game)
Mac Jones, QB, San Francisco 49ers (8.1%)
Jones has stepped up for the 49ers while Brock Purdy deals with a turf toe injury, throwing for 235 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-24 victory over the Giants. “Solid” is probably the best way to describe his performance across seven starts this season, averaging 16.1 fantasy points per game and playing a key role in keeping the Niners competitive in the NFC West title race.
As for Purdy’s recovery status, it’s still uncertain—I guess we’ll see when he can return. Meanwhile, Jones seems to be holding down the fort quite well.
Week 10 Matchup
vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET
Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (45.9%)
The 40-year-old Flacco had a career day, throwing for 470 yards and four touchdowns against the Bears, even as his team fell short in a late-game thriller. Despite leading a strong fourth-quarter comeback, the Bengals ultimately lost 47-42 due to defensive struggles. Ouch.
That said, Flacco has really found a rhythm since joining Cincinnati, making significant connections with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The Bengals are on bye this upcoming week, but if they need a QB for a playoff push later, keeping Flacco around could be smart.
Week 10 Matchup
Bye week
