Biggest Overreactions amid 2025 NFL OTAs

We’re now deep into another round of NFL organized team activities, and some overreactions have already begun to emerge in the media or among fanbases. 

Some are more blatant than others, and some we can just assume exist under the mainstream surface. 

Regardless, we’re here to calm everyone down.

Shedeur Sanders Is a Superstar!

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Per ESPN Cleveland, Shedeur Sanders completed seven of nine passes and had three touchdowns and no interceptions during team drills Wednesday. And the hype already has some declaring the rookie fifth-rounder the winner of a deep QB battle.

Most Browns fans have probably learned not to jump to conclusions with regard to quarterbacks, but it’s also likely easy to get fired up about a very talented rookie who, on the surface, came across as a steal in the draft. 

That said, this work is astronomically far removed from the real deal. And the sample is minuscule. Sanders has a lot of work to do, particularly in terms of his timing and awareness in the pocket. It’ll likely take time. 

Chill out, people.

Travis Hunter Is Going to be a 2-Way Player

AP Photo/John Raoux

The rookie second overall pick launched his first NFL offseason primarily on offense, but now the word is out that Travis Hunter has already begun to work with the defense. 

Graduating from meetings to on-field work that quickly is a good sign, and we can’t fault Jaguars fans for getting excited. That said, this sport might simply be too demanding for a player to consistently play at an effective level on both offense and defense. 

There’s a reason nobody has really pulled it off in a sustained fashion in the better part of a century. There’s a good chance this is nothing more than an experiment that is long forgotten for most of Hunter’s career. 

Justin Herbert to Ladd McConkey Is the Next Big Connection

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

Ladd McConkey emerged as Justin Herbert’s go-to guy in 2024. Could the two take it to another level in McConkey’s sophomore season? It’s entirely possible, and it’s not a bad sign that they’ve apparently been connecting beautifully this offseason. 

But again, consider the circumstances. Opposing defenses are studying the Chargers offense more than the Chargers defense is. And the Bolts will want to make a strong effort to work in rookie Tre Harris. 

This feels like a potential fantasy football trap, at the very least.

Roman Wilson Set to Fill George Pickens' Shoes

AP Photo/John Locher

Apparently Roman Wilson, a 2024 third-round pick, has been performing well this offseason for the Steelers, which could be huge considering how much they need somebody to step up in support of DK Metcalf in that offense. 

He’s also reportedly looked bigger and stronger in practice. 

Great, but check yourself because injuries have always been a factor for the Michigan product. His small frame was always a potential issue, and changing that could also impact his game negatively if he loses some burst.

Plus, it’s hard to trust the quarterback situation for a team that will likely favor Metcalf throughout the 2025 campaign.

QB Competition in Tennessee?

AP Photo/George Walker IV

No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward was reportedly just 3-of-7 in two team periods in Wednesday’s practice, and it doesn’t appear he’s been guaranteed much with Will Levis still in the mix at quarterback in Tennessee. 

The two have split reps thus far. 

But just as we can’t assume Sanders will become a star based on limited practice reps, we also can’t draw major conclusions about the state of the Titans’ quarterback situation. The reality is if you draft a QB at the top these days, he’s almost certainly going to start right away unless he’s hurt. 

That was the case with Trevor Lawrence, Bryce Young and Caleb Williams, and Ward will almost definitely follow suit.

Matthew Golden Is Destined to Dominate as a Rookie

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

The first Packers Round 1 wide receiver in about 75 years (OK, it's actually 23) is already taking first-team reps at Green Bay OTAs. That's a decent sign of his abilities out of the gate. After all, the Packers have quite a lot of depth at receiver. 

“Rookie first-round pick Golden was smooth in running his routes Wednesday, and looked the part of a first-rounder,” Mark Oldacres of Packers Wire wrote on Wednesday. 

Nice! But again, it’s early and you have to consider that coaches sometimes move guys like that into rotation with the ones simply to get a feel for how they look even if they perceive them to be far from ready. 

I also get the feeling some of the mental lapses that caused problems for Golden in college will make it hard for him to consistently remain ahead of a bunch of semi-experienced and talented receivers on a team that is trying to contend in 2025. 

The Saints' QBs are Good

AP Photo/Ella Hall

We’re already hearing about wow throws from rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough, who has by many indications been impressive. Plus, Spencer Rattler “has turned some heads in OTAs so far,” per SI.com’s Patrick McAvoy. 

But the sample isn’t small on Rattler, who was far too inaccurate during a rookie season that featured 228 attempts. I still doubt he can consistently find enough throwing lanes and excel as anything more than a backup, and the same rule applies to Shough that applied to Sanders and Ward above. 

I also have a feeling the rookie is simply going to make too many mistakes this summer to be the guy early in his career.

The Young Patriots Offense Is Not Right?

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Drake Maye’s throwing interceptions like mad, the New England Patriots offense looks out of sync in general and Stefon Diggs is potentially already causing distractions. 

Not great, Bob. 

But tight pockets have been a factor, and that’s probably to be expected considering major offensive line changes. That group deserves time to bring everything together, and it’s worth noting that a Christian Gonzalez-led Pats defense appears to be clicking. 

Maye had a strong rookie season and has much more support now. I think this unit will work through spring problems.

J.J. McCarthy Will Help the Vikings Forget Sam Darnold

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Accurate, even on the deep stuff, and seemingly confident. That’s probably the best way to summarize recent showings from Minnesota sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy. 

And while the team made the right call moving on from Darnold in favor of the 2024 first-round pick, he’s essentially a rookie coming off a spoiled maiden pro season. Let’s again treat his offseason thus far like Sanders’, Ward’s and Slough’s. 

I need to see McCarthy exhibit adaptability in uncomfortable situations when it matters. We’re a long way from there.

Micah Parsons' Holdout Is Problematic

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Cowboys fans are likely understandably frustrated and concerned by the fact their star linebacker is MIA at OTAs as a potential contract extension hangs in the balance. And the tone hasn’t been promising, either. 

That said, consider that the team was in similar situations with both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb at this point last offseason. They’re all in on this core, and long-term holdouts are hardly a thing these days anyway. 

There’s really no reason to panic here. Parsons isn’t going anywhere, and he’ll almost certainly be a factor throughout the 2025 campaign.