The quarterback position, especially in the NFL, gets all the eyeballs, all the attention, and all the scrutiny when things go bad.

And when everything is going right, all the love.

But here's the thing—when there's a lot of hype and expectations around a quarterback and they underperform, at least in the eyes of the fans, quarterbacks tend to get hit with all the early-season overreactions.

Week 1 was no different.

So, this week, I’m going to break down three overreactions that I’ve seen coming off the first week of the NFL season:

• Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals' Offense Are in Trouble

• Caleb Williams and Why “Overrated” Is Just a Word

• "Aaron Rodgers Didn't Look Like Aaron Rodgers"

#1: Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals' Offense Are in Trouble

Heading into Week 1, expectations were clear—Cincinnati was supposed to win.

Vegas odds favored them, and even Patriots fans expected the Bengals to take care of business. Joe Burrow was expected to shine with his elite connection to Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and the rest of the offensive unit.

But somehow, rookie head coach Jerod Mayo, veteran backup-turned-starter Jacoby Brissett, and a young New England offense went into Cincinnati and walked away with a win.

Naturally, fans and media are now asking, “What’s wrong with Joe Burrow? Why isn’t this offense clicking?”

A Look At The Film

While it’s easy to focus on the Bengals' struggles, let’s look at specific plays that shifted the game and explain the overreaction to Cincinnati's performance.

At one point, Cincinnati was in a prime position to take the lead. On third and two, Burrow saw his slot receiver breaking free and delivered the ball on time. However, a defensive player, mugged in the A-gap, dropped back just in time to deflect the pass.

It ricocheted off the receiver's hands. A play that should have moved the chains ended in an incompletion. 

Now, it’s fourth and two. The Bengals decide to go for it with a well-designed swing screen to the running back.

Two receivers on the outside got their blocks, and Burrow executed perfectly, delivering a quick, accurate pass. But a young New England safety broke on the ball and stopped the runner just short of the line to gain.

It wasn’t a bad play call or poor execution by Cincinnati—it was simply a phenomenal play by the defender.

The Game Of Inches

That sequence flipped the field. New England capitalized and put the game out of reach. Had the defender not tipped Burrow’s third-down pass, the Bengals might have kept driving, and we’d be talking about a different result.

But that’s football—a game of inches. Now, the narrative is that the Bengals offense is sluggish, and people are questioning Joe Burrow’s rhythm.

But let’s not overreact. Burrow made the right reads, throws, and decisions. Sometimes, defenses just make plays that can’t be accounted for.

Fans are quick to panic after Week 1, but if you watch the film, Joe Burrow wasn’t the problem. Sometimes, things just don’t go your way. So, should we be worried about Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ offense? Absolutely not.

The execution was there, and the team will bounce back. This is a team built to last, and this game will serve as motivation.

Overreacting after Week 1 is like judging a book by its cover—you miss the full story.

Expect Burrow and the Bengals to turn things around and prove their offense is still among the league’s elite.

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#2: Caleb Williams and Why “Overrated” Is Just a Word

Let me start by saying this—I don't care if you're the number one overall pick or Mr. Irrelevant. Your first snaps in the NFL are intense.

Week 1 in the NFL is a whole different game, and Caleb Williams just found that out.

You’ll hear a lot of opinions about rookie quarterbacks, especially Caleb Williams, but even seasoned veterans struggle to adjust when the real games start.

The Real Thing Is Different

Caleb Williams has been a star for a while, dominating at USC and before that in the Big 12.

So when he stepped onto the field for his NFL debut against the Tennessee Titans, fans expected instant fireworks.

He has the tools to deliver, but here’s the thing: your first NFL snaps aren’t just about a clean pocket and open receivers—it’s about what’s going on in the quarterback’s mind.

The Titans defense did an excellent job of disguising their schemes, showing Williams things he hadn’t seen before.

NFL defenses roll out new looks and pressures every year, ones you won’t see in preseason or practice. For a rookie quarterback, it’s like solving a puzzle in real-time with 300-pound linemen charging at you.

People are quick to judge after just a few series, but let’s be clear: Caleb Williams is far from overrated. The NFL is different.

This isn’t the Pac-12, where he could routinely pick apart defenses. In the pros, everything moves faster, the windows are tighter, and the decisions are more complex.

Sure, Williams missed a few throws he’d normally hit in college, and yes, he held onto the ball longer than ideal at times. But that’s because he’s processing new information at a much higher speed.

The throws he made in college now come with an extra layer of coverage, and that clean pocket? He knows there’s an unblocked linebacker or blitz package coming.

The mental load of an NFL quarterback in Week 1 is enormous, especially for a rookie seeing pro defenses for the first time.

A Totally Normal Experience

If you’re a fan hearing the media say “overrated,” just know Caleb’s experience is normal.

He’s adjusting to a world where everything moves faster, and he’s being asked to do more than ever. His talent didn’t vanish overnight—he’s just adapting to the NFL, and that takes time.

I’ve worked with quarterbacks at all levels, and the biggest thing is mental adjustment.

The game needs to slow down for Caleb, and it will. It takes time for rookies to adjust, no matter how talented they are. Once Williams gets comfortable, we’ll see the same guy who dominated college football.

Even legends like Peyton Manning, John Elway, and Patrick Mahomes needed time. Mahomes sat for almost a year before exploding onto the scene. 

So don’t let early critiques fool you. This isn’t a question of “if” Caleb will figure it out—it’s “when.”

While others may panic after one game, relax. Caleb Williams has the tools, work ethic, and mindset to thrive—and when he does, watch out.

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#3: "Aaron Rodgers Didn't Look Like Aaron Rodgers"

Like many across America, I sat down to watch the Jets face off against the San Francisco 49ers.

And like most, I saw the Niners dominate all four quarters in every phase of the game.

But as time went on, I was waiting for what many of us expected: Aaron Rodgers to pull off some magic.

He’s Still Aaron Rodgers

We all know Rodgers’ capabilities. Last season was chaotic—his injury, the media frenzy, the Zach Wilson drama, and the challenges of playing in New York.

When he returned to the field, expectations were sky-high. But here’s a reality check that’s often overlooked: Aaron Rodgers hasn’t played a full NFL game in nearly 19 months.

He took a few snaps last year before his injury, but essentially, he’s been away from live NFL action for a year and a half.

No matter your age—whether you’re 22, 32, or Rodgers’ 40—19 months without game speed, defenders chasing you, and the intensity of the crowd is a long time.

When people say “Rodgers didn’t look like himself,” they’re right. But it’s not because he’s lost his talent or is washed up—it’s because it’s been almost two years since he played meaningful snaps, and that takes a toll.

The Magic Is Coming

Veteran quarterbacks don’t need to “knock off rust” like younger players. Aaron knows the game inside out. He’s seen every defense and every scenario.

But no quarterback of Rodgers’ caliber has taken 19 months off and immediately jumped back into MVP form. The combination of age and such a long layoff is uncharted territory.

Rodgers is adjusting—both physically and mentally. After such a long break, it takes time to reacclimate to the speed of the game, as well as to get comfortable in a new system with new teammates.

This doesn’t happen overnight. While fans and media might overreact, Aaron Rodgers will be fine. It’s only Week 1. His long-term production and ability to lead the Jets aren’t in doubt.

He’s one of the greatest quarterbacks ever for a reason, and he will find his rhythm again.

So, for those saying, “Rodgers didn’t look like himself,” slow down. The NFL season is long, and while Aaron is 40, he’s far from done.

After such a long break, Week 1 didn’t show his best—but the magic is coming.

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