NFL preseason Week 1 overreactions: Shedeur Sanders done, Cam Ward a bust, Jaxson Dart can't stay healthy & more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Everything that happens in Week 1 of the NFL preseason always gets overblown. With everyone getting their first glimpse at on-field action since the Super Bowl, there are many snap judgments made based on the smallest of sample sizes.
Although some of what what happens in the exhibition games over three weeks is a hint of what's to come for the 2026 regular season, it's important to not force long-term takeaways from what are glorified training camp joint practices.
With the preseason shortened, several starting quarterbacks played in offenses new and old, showing mixed results. Elsewhere in their first games since Super Bowl 61, the Patriots and Seahawks didn't get off to good warmup starts.
Here's breaking down the most overblown early headlines from the weekend:
MORE: Grading NFL preseason debuts of 12 notable rookies
NFL preseason Week 1 overreactions
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Overreaction: Shedeur Sanders already has lost Browns QB job
Sanders, whether by the eye test of his performance against the Bears or the straight-up stats (6-for-11, 79 yards, 7.2 yards per attempt, interception, 39.6 passer rating) didn't do much to push Deshaun Watson to become Cleveland's starting quarterback.
Watson (11-for-15, 126 yards, 8.4 yards per attempt, 98.2 passer rating) was no doubt much sharper in entering the game before Sanders. Had Sanders not ended with a bad turnover late, the gap wouldn't have been so obvious, however.
Part of the reason Watson is the front-runner for the first year of offensive-minded coach Todd Monken is the fact the QB is costing almost $41 million against the team's salary cap in 2026, while Sanders is making only a little more than $1 million. Another is just the experience edge over Watson's second-year late-round competitor.
Sanders has looked much improved in the new system as a more accurate pocket passer than he was as a rookie. Monken has yet to commit to Watson and the competition remains open with Sanders set to start Week 2 preseason's game against the Bills.
If Sanders improves and flashes some of what Watson did, it should come down to the wire as expected in late August before the real opener.
Overreaction: Cam Ward is headed to rough Year 2 in a new offense
Ward (5-of-12, 57 yards, 4.8 yards per attempt, 56.6 passer rating) had a much rougher game than Sanders in his first outing for coordinator Brian Daboll against the 49ers. Ward didn't get into any kind of rhythm before Mitchell Trubisky and Will Levis played behind him. Rookie first-round wide receiver Carnell Tate was blanked stats-wise.
There was some overall shakiness from the running and passing games with the Titans incorporating Daboll's play-calling with a big personnel shakeup that includes Tate and veteran wideout Wan'Dale Robinson. Tennessee will be a work in progress and should keep getting better as a unit, including Ward. He showed too much promise late in his rookie season to think he will flop with much better support in 2026.
Overreaction: Jaxson Dart still can't avoid Giant hits
Dart (3-for-4, 26 yards, TD, 6.5 yards per attempt, 131.2 passer rating) was stellar stats-wise with only six dropbacks against the Vikings. But, he was sacked twice in his short stint and had to be checked for a concussion.
That is exactly what Giants fans don't want to see. Everything points to Dart in thriving with Matt Nagy as his offensive coordinator and John Harbaugh as his head coach. But the big concern of staying out of the medical tent on staying on the field lingers into his second year.
Dart is trying to shake the reputation of letting his head and body being abused too much and even reflected that in his postgame comments. With the Giants having Dart focus a lot on that aspect of his game, it should be corrected so that he focus on just executing with his arm and legs a la Lamar Jackson under Harbaugh in Baltimore.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. The Browns kicked a last second field goal to win 20-18. © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Overreaction: Joe Burrow is more comfortable in Bengals' new offense
Speaking of avoiding sacks and hits, that's a point of emphasis with Burrow for Zac Taylor and the rest of Cincinnati's offensive staff. To help better protect Burrow, the Bengals have had him operating under center with more play-action concepts, playing off a stronger commitment to Chase Brown and the running game.
Burrow (5-for-6, 39 yards, 6.5 yards per attempt, 93.8 passer rating) was still sacked once against the Lions with a stint relegated to short-to-intermediate throws. Burrow has said he's OK with the change, but he has been not exactly enthusiastic. Look for the Bengals to adjust and make sure he gets his share of shotgun snaps to keep up his aggressive downfield work. Cincinnati doesn't need to change what it is doing with Burrow too much beyond just working harder to keep him clean.
Overreaction: Rams and Steelers have found their future QBs
Ty Simpson and Drew Allar were the star rookie quarterbacks of preseason Week 1, stealing much of the buzz from Raiders No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Simpson played a ton for Los Angeles at Kansas City and matched the two TD passes Allar threw for Pittsburgh vs. Green Bay.
Both looked sharp, with Simpson showing a great feel for Sean McVay's offense and Allar accelerating his development under Mike McCarthy. Both QBs are looking, however, at starting the season at third-string at best.
Simpson is better positioned to be Matthew Stafford's successor given his first-round status, but that's not a given because Stafford might not retire for a while. Allar will need to compete more with Will Howard and others to replace Aaron Rodgers in 2027. The strong play will need to continue all season long in practices when there is no live game action to get as No. 3s.
Breaking down rookie QB debuts: Simpson | Allar | Mendoza
Overreaction: Patriots headed to massive Super Bowl hangover
New England's biggest highlight of its preseason tie against Indianapolis was Mike Vrabel's awkward pass of a challenge flag to match his weird offseason since his team fell to Seattle in Super Bowl 61. With the starters resting all-around, the Patriots looked flat with the exception of a couple big plays.
The way they came out for Vrabel wasn't inspiring and getting back to the AFC playoffs will be tough with a more difficult schedule. But this was without Drake Maye leading the offense and the best version of the defense, which still played well. There's every reason to practice more patience than panic with the 2026 Patriots.
Overreaction: Seahawks' offense headed for big step back
The Seahawks held out Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, among other offensive stars, against the Cowboys. Rookie first-round Jadarian Price didn't get to make his debut while battling a leg injury. New offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, replacing Kubiak, had his moments, but Seattle scored only seven points against Dallas.
What's clear is the Seahawks don't have the same kind of depth everywhere, losing some personnel in free agency. Without Price and Zach Charbonnet not available, the rushing attack was bound to be underwhelming with George Holani. Until Seattle struggles with all of its key pieces, there should be the expectation the offense can retain its efficiency.
Overreaction: Bills can feel better about Keon Coleman
Coleman caught a touchdown pass in Buffalo's game against Carolina, easing some tension about whether the second-year receiver can ever have relevance in the offense. But newcomer D.J. Moore, given his previous connection with offensive-minded coach Joe Brady, and Khalil Shakir, still were the key weapons for a sharp Josh Allen in the team's debut in new Highmark Stadium.
Although it was good to see Coleman score, he still caught only 3 passes for 17 yards on four targets. He has a long way to go in his third year to prove his second-round status.
Overreaction: Falcons should not panic about Tua Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa was shaky at the end of his Dolphins' tenure and was fortunate Atlanta signed him to be the potential contingency bridge for Michael Penix Jr. as the latter recovers from suffering a torn ACL in his left knee. Tua (3-of-5, 22 yards, 4.4 yards per attempt, 70.4 passer rating) was okay only because Cooper Rush and Jack Strand looked a whole lot worse in the new offense of Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees.
The Falcons paid Bijan Robinson a fortune in his extension because they will need lean a ton on the versatile back and the running game in general with the shaky QB situation. At this point, Tagovailoa is ahead of Penix by default. When Penix is healthy enough to see game action again, he has a fair shot of getting his job back right away. Tagovailoa is headed to the latest first-round QB pick being cooked.