Biggest Overreactions from Week 1 of 2026 NFL Preseason

NFL fans and analysts waited months for a full slate of games. So, of course, there are overreactions to Week 1 of the preseason. 

Let's take a deep breath before we come to sweeping conclusions about what happened last week, and put these games into perspective.

While these exhibition contests are important for fringe players trying to make rosters, coaches are experimenting with schemes and personnel, mostly with backups.

Rookies in line for significant playing time will need to elevate their performances against All-Pros and Pro Bowlers in the regular season.

With all that in mind, we need to pump the brakes on seven widespread overreactions from Week 1 of the preseason.

Caleb Douglas Will Be Dolphins' Lead Receiver

AP Photo/David Santiago

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas

Following the Miami Dolphins' matchup against the Washington Commanders, many talked about "the catch," and they weren't referring to former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark's iconic reception in the 1981 NFC Championship Game.

No, spectators raved about rookie third-rounder Caleb Douglas' 28-yard circus catch in the first quarter of a preseason game. Sure, he made an impressive grab, but one highlight-reel play shouldn't vault him to the top of Miami's receiver depth chart.

In fairness, the Dolphins have a bottom-tier receiver corps without a clear-cut go-to option. Still, Douglas needs more than a catch to lead that group. 

While many talk about Douglas' catch, they forget that he stepped out of bounds on what would be a routine play for most pros. As a rookie, he's prone to those mistakes, but it's also a reminder that the 22-year-old needs to work on some basics. 

If Douglas lines up against top cornerbacks, running back De'Von Achane will probably lead the team in receptions for consecutive seasons.

Bills WR Keon Coleman Is Primed for a Breakout Year

AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw his first touchdown pass in the new Highmark Stadium to Keon Coleman. 

While that may be an unforgettable moment for Coleman, he has a long way to go before he turns the corner following two underwhelming seasons.

DJ Moore had the most productive preseason outing among Bills' receivers, hauling in three passes for 61 yards. Coleman finished with three receptions for 17 yards and a score.

Furthermore, Coleman must show a change in his mindset during the regular season. The team benched him for multiple games last year. In response to that, the wideout said he had to be "more accountable."

Head coach Joe Brady rejected trade offers for Coleman early in the offseason. So, the third-year pro will likely have a chance to redeem himself in Buffalo, but it'll take more than a highlight moment in a preseason game to match the expectations for the top second-round pick in a draft class.

Commanders LB Sonny Styles Won't Be a Franchise Player

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Washington Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles

Social media users have floated clips of rookie Sonny Styles in his preseason outing against the Miami Dolphins, and the commentary on his performance depicts him as a fish out of water—a misguided overreaction.

After the game, Styles said he and fellow linebacker Leo Chenal wanted another drive because the Dolphins scored on a 14-play sequence (h/t Locked on Commanders host David Harrison).

Styles expressed frustration with how the starting unit performed on the first drive, though former NFL player Breiden Fehoko saw flaws in the first-rounder's debut and shared his opinion on X.

"Watching Sonny Styles tape and if I'm being honest I think he's got a while before we see a franchise LB," he said. "He's got generational tools; the game just seems a bit fast for him right now." 

Even if you agree with Fehoko's assessment of Styles' first pro experience, it's tough to say how close he is to becoming a franchise linebacker this early in his career.

Styles recorded three tackles (one solo) on his only drive. At the very least, he can find the ball and make stops. It's important to note that the youngster has one of the top defensive-minded head coaches in Dan Quinn to lean on in the film room.

Drew Allar Is Steelers' Future Franchise Quarterback

AP Photo/David Dermer

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Drew Allar

Drew Allar lit up the Green Bay Packers defense, going 10-of-13 for 153 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored on a three-yard run. 

His performance may lead you to believe that he'll take over after Aaron Rodgers retires at the conclusion of the 2026 season, but that's a premature projection.

Keep in mind that the Steelers inserted Allar into the game after Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. He played against third- and fourth-stringers, many of whom will be cut in a couple of weeks.

According to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, Pittsburgh "uninstalled" everything that Allar learned at Penn State. So, it's encouraging to see a rebuilt version of him look sharp in his first taste of pro action.

However, Allar may require an extensive developmental process as the Steelers reshape his quarterback mechanics and decision-making.

Let's see the rookie third-rounder perform well against tougher competition before we crown him the heir to Rodgers' position.

Giants QB Jaxson Dart Is Still Reckless

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart

Jaxson Dart can't avoid the blue medical tent, and it baffles him.

After the New York Giants' preseason matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, he shared his thoughts on the NFL's concussion protocol.

"As far as the blue tent, I really respect the rules and the thought behind (it) the NFL has of keeping players healthy and reviewing things," said Dart, who was 3 of 4 for 26 yards. "But at the same time, I'm still puzzled by it just feeling like every time I get hit, I find my way in there, which at times I still try to wrap my head around." 

On the Giants' second drive, Dart took a big hit on a sack, and the team briefly examined him. Upon his return, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to rookie wideout Malachi Fields.

It's important to note that on Dart's touchdown throw, he scrambled but kept his eyes downfield to find his receiver. The signal-caller didn't log a carry in the game.  

Although Dart took two sacks, running back Tyrone Tracy shouldered the blame for one of them.

"I heard something that had my eyes on the wrong side," he said, per The Athletic's Dan Duggan. "It was really just on me. I heard something, had my eyes on the other side, and that was really it." 

Giants head coach John Harbaugh also addressed the sack on Dart (h/t ESPN's Jordan Raanan).

"There's no way he should have been hit there," Harbaugh said. "I mean, it just shouldn't have happened. That was a basic protection." 

Dart has left himself open to excessive contact, so he'll draw criticism any time he takes a big hit, but the offensive linemen and running backs also have a job to protect him. Tracy took accountability for a blown assignment—that's not on the quarterback.

Titans QB Cam Ward Is a Bust

AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward

While some quarterbacks are anointed far too quickly in the preseason, others are prematurely written off. 

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward had a rough preseason outing against the San Francisco 49ers, going 5-of-12 for 57 yards. 

Ideally, a team wants to see its second-year quarterback take a huge leap from his rookie campaign, starting with a solid showing in the first preseason game. 

Ward didn't look much different from his performances in last year's exhibition contests. He needed to show more with the addition of rookie first-round wide receiver Carnell Tate and slot receiver Wan'Dale Robinson. Perhaps that happens against the Seattle Seahawks next week.

However, Ward is learning a new offense, and live reps should help strengthen his command of play-caller Brian Daboll's system. 

Interestingly, Titans head coach Robert Saleh mentioned that Ward must trust his teammates.

"It's the first time in live bullets, and there is a trust thing," Saleh said. "It's time on task. It's building trust with his teammates. It's building confidence in himself. There's no doubt Cam is capable; we've just got to go out and execute." 

The Titans will likely play Ward in the preseason until they see him establish a comfortable rhythm with his supporting cast. Remember, he threw for eight touchdowns and just one interception in his last five regular-season outings. Give him more time.

Ty Simpson Is Best QB in 2026 Draft Class

AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson

Apparently, Ty Simpson has leapfrogged Fernando Mendoza as QB1 in the 2026 class with his impressive performance against the Kansas City Chiefs. He went 21-of-25 for 190 yards and two touchdowns in three quarters of play. 

During the predraft process, ESPN's Dan Orlovsky went against the grain and ranked Simpson as the top quarterback in the class, over Mendoza, who went No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Well, after Simpson's preseason debut, ESPN's Chase Daniel stirred the pot on X, posting, "Some people owe Orlovsky an apology."

Take nothing away from Simpson. He picked apart the Chiefs defense, but the rookie did that against a unit without its best pass-rushers. Kansas City pulled Chris Jones and George Karlaftis out of the game before Simpson took the field on the Rams' third offensive drive.

Simpson had ample time to go through his reads and make throws without constant pressure bearing down on him.

Regarded as one of the NFL's top offensive-minded head coaches, Sean McVay will have a major impact on Simpson's development. So, it's no surprise that he was well-prepared for his NFL debut. 

However, those who disagreed with Orlovsky's rookie quarterback rankings should save their apologies until Mendoza and Simpson play in regular-season games.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.