Ty Law is running to his former head coach's defense ... telling TMZ Sports that Bill Belichick is absolutely NOT washed.
"If anything," the Hall of Famer said of his former Patriots manager, "the game has to catch up to his knowledge!"
Of course, there are plenty of Belichick detractors out there who'd disagree ... pointing to The Hoodie's 29-38 record following Tom Brady's New England departure as evidence that the NFL has passed him by.