Twenty years ago, a young Ben Roethlisberger took the NFL by storm as a rookie quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Roethlisberger, who won all 12 of his regular season starts in his debut year, was backed by a formidable defense, a crucial factor in his early success. Fast forward to the present, Justin Fields is echoing a similar narrative. While leading the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020, Fields has showcased composure and efficiency, completing nearly 70% of his passes in recent games.
The early-season victories came on the road against Atlanta and Denver, where the defense played a pivotal role. The offense managed to put 18 points on the board against Atlanta and 13 against Denver, demonstrating that while the attack may not be piling up points, it is avoiding mistakes. Notably, Fields committed no turnovers in either contest—a key factor in the team’s fledgling success. Pittsburgh's kicker, Chris Boswell, also contributed significantly by making six field goals in Atlanta, underscoring the importance of the special teams unit.
Ben Roethlisberger, now a seasoned veteran offering insights from outside the huddle, sees merit in Fields' performance. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," Roethlisberger said. His endorsement emphasizes the importance of rhythm and continuity: "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."
Roethlisberger understands the dynamics of a quarterback-led team. Reflecting on his own experience, he added, "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."
Dividends of Stability
The Steelers' current situation harks back to 2004 when Roethlisberger was thrust into the spotlight after Tommy Maddox was injured in Week 2. Guided by head coach Bill Cowher, the Steelers set an AFC record with 15 wins, although they ultimately fell to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Those were formative years for Roethlisberger, who later became the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
The parallels between Roethlisberger's rookie season and Fields' current trajectory are indeed compelling. Fields, garnering respect and trust from the team, has shown a penchant for taking care of the football. "Would you like to see 400 yards and three touchdowns and one rushing touchdown? Of course, you would," Roethlisberger mused. "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."
It’s clear that Roethlisberger's advice to Fields revolves around focusing on what's essential. "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," he stated plainly.
Winning at All Costs
As Fields continues to navigate his role as the starting quarterback, the wisdom imparted by Roethlisberger provides a guiding light. "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," Roethlisberger emphasized. With such endorsements, Fields has the backing to cement his status as the leader of the Steelers offense.
Meanwhile, the Steelers will look to build on their strong start, aiming to recapture the glory that defined Roethlisberger's early years. The defense remains a stalwart unit, a trademark of Pittsburgh football, and with Fields at the helm showing maturity beyond his years, the team’s future looks promising. If Fields can continue to blend efficiency with cautious play, mirroring the early success of his predecessor, the Steelers may well be on their way to another memorable season.