Is it intended that low level characters can't use quest rewards from old expansions while levelling up?

I’ve been away a long time. I got a couple toons to 80 and decided to do some relaxing questing. I found a level 11 toon from way back when. I talked to chromie and chose shadowlands for my expansion of choice.

I picked a covenant and headed out into the world. All the quest rewards are level 45+, while I am level 15. Is that normal? Thanks.