Stephen A. Smith predicts the WORST team in the NFL next season

Stephen A. Smith believes the Pittsburgh Steelers could be one of the worst teams in the NFL next season, insisting they have ‘last place written all over them’.

Smith was speaking after the Steelers’ dismal 9-3 preseason defeat by the Buffalo Bills, in which Russell Wilson endured a tough day at quarterback.

The 35-year-old Wilson, slowed by a calf injury for much of training camp, completed just eight of 10 passes for 47 yards. He also took three sacks during five scoreless series. 

Coach Mike Tomlin’s offense also has so many new parts – from offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to a pair of quarterbacks in Wilson and Justin Fields to rookie center Zack Frazier.

But with less than three weeks to go until their season-opener against the Atlanta Falcons, Smith believes Pittsburgh is heading for a miserable season. 

Smith was speaking after the Steelers’ defeat by the Bills, in which Russell Wilson struggled

‘The Steelers looked awful offensively. They looked absolutely awful,’ Smith said on Monday’s episode of First Take. ‘I’m very, very disgusted by what I saw.

‘Here’s what really resonates with me. I’m thinking about the fact that you took those three sacks, you’re still holding onto the ball a little too long. 

‘Why is that relevant? Because that’s why Sean Payton couldn’t stand him. That’s why Sean Payton ran him out of Denver. That’s why Denver didn’t hesitate to push him out of the Mile High City, even though they owe him $37.8million.

‘You’ve got some weapons but in the end it’s going to come down to your quarterback play and what kind of a threat he is. But I’m looking at Russell Wilson and thinking “damn, this is why the Denver Broncos didn’t want him”.

‘I don’t want to hear anything about the calf injury. You’re still holding onto the ball for too long. I’m not enthused.

‘I know the AFC North is no joke. I’m looking at (Joe) Burrow, Lamar Jackson, I see what Deshaun Watson’s got.

‘I’ve never said this before because I believe in Mike Tomlin so much. But the Steelers have last place written all over them. I don’t see how they get out of this.’

Mike Tomlin has made a number of changes in the offense with three weeks until their opener

Wilson will be the Steelers starting quarterback this season, a decade removed from winning a Super Bowl with the Seahawks and after a tumultuous two seasons with the Broncos. 

Steelers fans were equally dismayed by his performance this weekend, though.

‘I’m starting to think Russell Wilson was the problem,’ one fan said.  

‘Russell Wilson in 5 drives vs. Buffalo: 47 yards, 3 sacks, 6 checkdowns, 0 points. MISSION FAILED WE’LL GET EM NEXT TIME BOYS,’ another Steelers fan stated.

‘I’m sure Russell Wilson steps up into a clean pocket and doesn’t try to scramble out of the pocket at the age of 35,’ a Pittsburgh fan added. 

‘Russell Wilson was sacked 3 times for 21 yards in losses. His four completions were for 16 yards. Thus, minus-5 passing yards. The sacks — often on the QB — were part of what drove Sean Payton batty and why the Broncos absorbed $85M in dead cap over two years to move on,’ another person concluded.

The Steelers do have one more preseason game next weekend against the Detroit Lions.