Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick issued a stark warning about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense.
However, Tom Brady’s veteran coach says Russell Wilson won’t be a problem for the team and prefers the 35-year-old to be Justin Fields’ backup.
Belichick said Fields turns the ball over more than Wilson, and Wilson is one of the best “deep-field throwers” in the NFL.
“I think they have bigger problems than at the quarterback position… The offensive line had a hard time being consistent there,” Belichick said. ‘The Pat McAfee Show’.
‘They lost the tackles… They have a rookie center and the guards, they’ve had some issues in the preseason games as well,’ Belichick continued.
Russell Wilson hasn’t had the easiest start to his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers at age 35
Belichick believes Wilson is not the biggest problem in Pittsburgh despite turmoil
“They’ve got to get the run game going, they’ve got good backs, they need those backs to get going,” Belichick added. “Russell is good at getting out of the pocket, but I think the issues are bigger than Russell Wilson. I think it’s the offensive line and the run game.”
Wilson is in his first season with the Steelers after two seasons with the Denver Broncos, where he underperformed significantly.
Fields is also in his first season in Pittsburgh after three seasons as the Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has made it clear that Wilson is the starter despite none of the quarterbacks having impressed in the preseason so far.
Najee Harris is projected to be Pittsburgh’s starting running back after an up-and-down NFL career thus far.
To accompany Wilson, Pittsburgh hired Arthur Smith, who was the Falcons’ head coach for the past three seasons, as offensive coordinator. Belichick believes Smith is a “good fit” for the team and Wilson.