The New England Patriots have Super Bowl aspirations this season. The Pittsburgh Steelers do, as well.
So, it comes as no surprise that Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams isn’t too bent out of shape over Deflategate, which will sideline Patriots quarterback Tom Brady until Week 5.
“I am glad they’ve got problems,” Williams on Tuesday told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I don’t care. Everybody has their problems, and I am glad they have theirs.”
Instead of Brady, who last week accepted a four-game suspension for his role in the underinflated footballs scandal, New England will begin the season with untested third-year pro Jimmy Garoppolo under center.
Garoppolo, a second-round draft pick in 2014, has yet to start an NFL game. And while the Patriots should be confident the 24-year-old can hold down the fort until Brady returns, nobody is expecting him to give the team Brady-level production.
Williams was quick to point out, however, that none of this directly affects the Steelers, who don’t play the Patriots until Week 7.
“I don’t know why everybody thinks that affects us,” he said. “We don’t care. You think Big Ben (Roethlisberger) wants to beat a Brady-less team? That proves nothing to him.”
Pittsburgh was unable to beat a Brady-led team last season, falling to New England 28-21 in Week 1. Brady threw for four touchdowns in that contest, including three to tight end Rob Gronkowski, as the Patriots kicked off a season-opening 10-game winning streak.
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
