Bill Belichick heaped praise onto Russell Wilson after the veteran signal-caller turned in a masterful performance that all-but settled the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback debate.
In his regular-season debut for the Steelers, Wilson picked apart the New York Jets defense last Sunday, completing 16-of-29 passes for 264 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions while also rushing for a score. He found immense success on downfield throws along the sideline during Pittsburgh’s 37-15 win, routinely connecting with wide receiver George Pickens on chunk plays outside the numbers.
But it was another pass in particular that caught Belichick‘s attention. During the play in question, Wilson ran a bootleg with defensive end Solomon Thomas bearing down on him and fired a short throw to Pat Freiermuth, who rumbled downfield for 30 yards and a first down.
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“Oh my God. There’s not many that could make that play,” Belichick told former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning on ESPN’s ‘The Breakdown with Peyton and Belichick.’ “Then, to your point, he put it right on the money to [Pat] Freiermuth so he could run another 20 yards after the catch. That’s a great play.”
Manning expressed a similar sentiment, marveling at how Wilson was able to get off such an accurate pass with pressure in his face. “I don’t know how he gets this throw off and look how accurate the throw is to Freiermuth. It’s a runner’s ball. If this throw is behind Pat, we don’t have this explosive play,” he added.
Wilson’s promising return from a lingering calf injury reaffirmed Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s bold decision to play him over Justin Fields, who shined at times while starting earlier this season. In relief of the 35-year-old, he commanded the Steelers to a 4-2 record while completing 106-of-160 passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception.
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Bill Belichick heaped praise onto Russell Wilson following his dominant showing last week (
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The ex-Chicago Bear additionally rushed 55 times for 231 yards and five touchdowns.
Fields’ benching did not sit well with many across the NFL, including FOX Sports analyst Terry Bradshaw. “I totally disagree with this decision by Mike Tomlin,” he declared.
“I would stay with Fields. Fields fits this team’s personality. They like to run the football. He’s a big strong running quarterback, athletic enough, but also a guy that can move the football through the air. I don’t understand the move.”
Prior to losing his starting job to Wilson, Fields conceded that he could’ve prevented the situation had he played better. “I mean, I don’t think I’ve played good enough, if I’m being real with you,” he said earlier this month.
“If I’m being real with myself, I think if I did play well enough, I don’t think there would be any sort of ‘who should be playing, who should not.’ We got a few wins – of course I’m glad about that – but there are areas that I could be better at.”
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