Three-time DPOY blasts media over early criticisms of rookies

Retired NFL superstar J.J. Watt doesn't want to hear criticisms about rookie players before training camps even open. 

"'Rookie has rough practice in his first week of OTAs,'" Watt said in a video he shared on social media, per Justin Terranova of the New York Post. "Yeah, that’s called being a rookie. It’s called first week of OTAs. I had rough practices every single year in my 12 years. I’ve had rough games. I’ve had multiple rough games. S---'s hard. It’s the National Football League." 

Watt declined to name a player but posted the video after Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis reportedly endured a rough practice on Wednesday. According to Turron Davenport of ESPN, Levis threw into double coverage, fumbled a snap and dealt with accuracy issues.

"...Let’s let guys develop," Watt continued. "Let’s let guys get some practices under their belt. Let’s let guys get into the league. Let’s let them grow as a player. Let’s let them get some NFL coaching."

To his credit, Levis sounded unbothered over the workout few, if any, will remember by the time the Titans open the 2023 season in New Orleans on Sept. 10. 

"I know I have more opportunities tomorrow and the next day, so I'm not going to beat myself up," Levis said. "High standards is the name of the game. It's not to beat yourself up. It's to motivate you to go out there and perform to the best of your ability."

Levis is on track to begin his rookie campaign sitting behind veteran Ryan Tannehill but could be called into action sooner if Tannehill gets hurt, is moved or underperforms.

As for Watt, the future Hall of Famer is a minority investor in Premier League club Burnley FC but seems capable of offering plenty to first-year NFL players as either a motivational speaker or coach.