Hall of Famer makes bold prediction about Russell Wilson, Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers legend and Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis isn't among those who believe quarterback Russell Wilson will let the organization down this coming season. 

"He can still play 100 percent," Bettis said about Wilson during a Thursday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan, as shared by Joe Clark of Steelers Depot. "And he will be effective in this offense. He's going to be good for this offense." 

Multiple members of the NFL community have pointed out that the marriage between Wilson and Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton was essentially doomed from the start. However, the numbers show the 35-year-old wasn't a complete disaster for his former club last season. Per Pro-Football-Reference, Wilson finished last season ranked eighth in the NFL with a 98.0 passer rating. While he was 22nd with a 50.7 adjusted QBR, he was also ninth with 26 touchdown passes that he accumulated across 15 games. 

Wilson should benefit from a run-heavy scheme embraced by new Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, but Bettis suggested he's worried some within the organization will want to get meaningful looks at young signal-caller Justin Fields. Pittsburgh acquired Fields from the Chicago Bears for a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick in March. 

"Are you interested in finding out what both quarterbacks can do? Or is it just about who's the best quarterback and we're gonna play him and we're gonna try to win championships with that one person," Bettis continued. "If that's the case, then Russell Wilson is the guy, and trust me, he's going to be special. I really believe he has all the talent and the know-how and the skillset to be big-time, and this offense can allow him to do that and it's not gonna ask him to do a whole lot because you're gonna be able to run the football." 

Some thought even before Denver released Wilson in March that the one-time Super Bowl champion is no longer an average player at the sport's most important position. Others are certain Wilson will thrive after the Steelers bolstered their offensive line during the draft. 

Wilson likely will have to win the starting job during a competition with Fields that could run from training camp through Pittsburgh's final preseason game. Bettis seems convinced that head coach Mike Tomlin should simply name Wilson the club's QB1 today and "let Russ cook" until further notice.