NFL Preseason Week 1 Takeaways: Tagovailoa’s Uncomfortable Night; Dolphins WR Shines

The NFL preseason is often viewed as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. However, this year’s Week 1 games offered more than just a glimpse of what’s to come – they provided a reality check on some of the league’s biggest storylines and exposed a few teams’ weaknesses.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa struggled in his first start with the team, completing only three of five passes for 22 yards. What’s more concerning is how poorly he was protected by the offense line. This lack of cohesion is a worrying trend for a team that needs to gel quickly and live up to expectations after a dismal 2025 campaign.

Tagovailoa faces a steep learning curve, but the pressure on his shoulders is immense. As the Falcons’ main man, he’ll be expected to lead the team back to relevance. It remains to be seen if he’s up for the task.

In contrast, some of the league’s top teams are using this preseason to fine-tune their rosters and iron out wrinkles. The Broncos look like they’re off to a solid start, with rookie fourth-round running back Jonah Coleman showing promise in their win over the Falcons. The team is built to last, but it’s encouraging to see them continue to invest in young talent.

The Dolphins are quietly building a formidable roster. Second-round rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and defensive end Max Llewellyn both made an impact in their limited snaps. Quarterback Malik Willis looked sharp in his lone drive of the game, leading the offense on a 14-play, 93-yard touchdown drive.

However, these performances come with caveats. The Dolphins’ coach has been rotating his starters to give them all a chance to shine, which is admirable but also raises questions about the team’s depth chart.

The NFL preseason can be a time of high expectations and low stakes, but even in this supposedly risk-free environment, mistakes are costly – and they have consequences for the regular season ahead.

Some teams might be getting too comfortable. The New York Jets took an easy win over the Buccaneers on Friday, but coach Aaron Glenn’s decision to limit quarterback Cade Klubnik’s playing time raises eyebrows. Klubnik had a solid outing in his only two series – and one could argue that Glenn should have let him play the entire half.

Rookies often face an uphill battle in their first season, but this year’s crop looks particularly promising. Jeremiyah Love of the Cardinals was a standout in Thursday’s game, showcasing his quick feet and power running. Jonah Coleman is giving the Broncos’ fans reason to be optimistic about their team’s future.

As we’ve seen before, preseason performances can be misleading. Some teams might be peaking too early, while others are simply hiding behind a veil of mediocrity.

The next few weeks will provide more clarity on these storylines and offer a glimpse into what’s in store for the regular season. Will the Falcons recover from their poor start? Can the Broncos continue to impress with their young talent? And how will the Dolphins’ quarterback situation play out?

One thing is certain: the NFL preseason is not just about trying out new players or perfecting game plans – it’s about laying the groundwork for a successful regular season. And as we’ve seen, even in these early games, mistakes can have lasting consequences.

The outcome of this preseason will determine which teams are ready to take on the challenges of the regular season.