Twenty years ago, a young Ben Roethlisberger burst onto the scene as a rookie quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the stage for a storied career. Roethlisberger's inaugural season was nothing short of spectacular, as he won all 12 of his regular season starts while being complemented by a dominant defense. Fast forward to today, and the Steelers find themselves with another promising quarterback, Justin Fields, leading the charge.
Fields has guided the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020, showing remarkable efficiency by completing nearly 70% of his passes in recent games. The Steelers secured road victories against Atlanta and Denver, with the offense managing 18 points in the game against Atlanta and 13 points against Denver. Notably, kicker Chris Boswell made six crucial field goals in Atlanta, bolstering the team's scoreline. The defense also played a pivotal role in these wins, a performance reminiscent of the days when Roethlisberger first took the helm.
Fields' ability to avoid turnovers has been crucial to his early success. He has not committed a single turnover in either of the season's first two contests, demonstrating a maturity and poise that is essential for winning tight games. This has prompted Roethlisberger to weigh in on the young quarterback's performance and potential. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," said Roethlisberger, highlighting Fields' effective management of game situations.
Roethlisberger's Praise and Insights
Roethlisberger further expressed his confidence in Fields, noting his efficiency and careful handling of the ball. "He's been efficient. He's been good with the ball. So, I think you've got to stay with him, I really do, and see what happens," he added. The veteran quarterback emphasized the importance of maintaining a team's rhythm. "Once you get into a rhythm and you get good things going, you don't want to mess that up. Let's not mess up the rhythm of the team and what's going on, and I think they're building."
Roethlisberger understands the pressures and expectations that come with leading the Steelers. He offered a reassuring perspective for Fields: "Would you like to see 400 yards and three touchdowns and one rushing touchdown? Of course you would. But you know what else you're going to be happy with? You'll be happy with a guy right now that wasn't even really supposed to probably start this year, going 2-0, taking care of the football, making plays, sometimes out of nothing when guys are getting in."
His advice to Fields is rooted in the fundamentals of winning football games. "I would tell him, the only stat that matters is a W and the turnovers. You're winning the turnover battle, and you're winning. Don't worry about what people are saying in terms of yards, in terms of touchdowns, in terms of all that. You're winning. At the end of the day, as a quarterback, that's what you want."
Historical Parallels and Future Prospects
Reflecting on his own career, Roethlisberger underscored the importance of victories over individual statistics. "I didn't always put up big numbers, but I prided myself in getting wins, and that's what you're supposed to do. As a quarterback, you're supposed to win football games by any means necessary," he stated. His rookie year under head coach Bill Cowher saw the Steelers set an AFC record with 15 wins, although they fell to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Roethlisberger would later become the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl, showcasing the heights to which a successful rookie season can eventually lead.
This early success by Fields draws inevitable comparisons to Roethlisberger's own entrance into the NFL. With Fields' 2-0 start and the support of a strong defense, the Steelers appear to be rekindling some of that past glory. The journey ahead for Fields may be fraught with challenges, but his current trajectory suggests that the Steelers might once again have a quarterback capable of leading them to great heights.
As the season progresses, Fields will continue to be scrutinized and measured against the lofty standards set by his predecessors. If he can maintain his current form and continue to prioritize wins over personal accolades, he may well carve out his own legacy within the storied franchise of the Pittsburgh Steelers.