Five disappointing players in need of big game in NFL Week 3

There have been some great individual performances through the first two weeks of the 2025 NFL season. There have also been others that are extraordinarily disappointing, leaving some big-name players in need of a big showing this week. We are going to take a look at five of them.

T.J. Watt, Edge, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers defense as a whole has been incredibly underwhelming, struggling to stop the run and allowing 30 points in back-to-back games to Justin Fields and Sam Darnold. At the top of the disappointment list is Watt, their biggest superstar and best player. He has not recorded a sack in six games going back to last season, and even worse, has not really been the disruptive, game-changing force the Steelers have come to expect him to be. If they are going to compete this season, their defense has to be the reason why, and Watt has to be the leader of that. So far, it has not happened. It has to change over the next few weeks when their schedule becomes extremely favorable. 

Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears

It wouldn't be fair to say that Williams has been bad, but he hasn't been particularly great. That has been the story of his career to this point, and it's a problem for the Bears. He is supposed to be the franchise-changing talent that finally solves their long-standing quarterback issues, and so far, he has not been that. The biggest issue he has dealt with so far is consistently making on-target throws. He and the Bears offense get to face a porous Dallas Cowboys defense on Sunday, and if they can not excel against them, it is going to be time to start asking some tough questions this season. 

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Thomas was not only one of the best rookies in the NFL in 2024, but he was also one of the best wide receivers regardless of experience level. Through two weeks this season, he has been a complete non-factor in the Jaguars' offense, catching just six of the 19 passes thrown his direction for only 60 yards. The Jaguars need more. 

Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

Kelce has six catches for 108 yards and a touchdown through two weeks, which are mostly fine numbers for a run-of-the-mill tight end. But Kelce is not a run-of-the-mill tight end. He is one of the best to ever do it and a key part of the Chiefs offense. He is an even bigger part of the offense, given the depth issues at wide receiver. So far, he has not played like any of that. The numbers don't really do justice to the fact that he has looked like a shell of his former self and turned a potential touchdown in Week 2 into a game-changing interception by not being able to haul in a pass. 

Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos

The Broncos entered this season as a popular sleeper pick to be a Super Bowl contender in the AFC, and the expected improvement in Nix from year one to year two was supposed to be a big part of that. But through two games, Nix has struggled and seemingly regressed from a strong rookie showing. He is averaging just 191 passing yards per game and has already thrown three interceptions in two games. They need more from him.