Twenty years ago, a young rookie quarterback named Ben Roethlisberger embarked on an impressive journey with the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning all 12 of his regular-season starts. Fast forward to the present, and the Steelers are witnessing a resurgence led by another promising quarterback, Justin Fields.
Steelers Off to a Strong Start
This season, Fields has guided the Steelers to a 2-0 start, a feat the franchise hasn't achieved since 2020. Fields has been notably efficient in his performances, completing nearly 70% of his passes and maintaining a clean slate with no turnovers in their victories against Atlanta and Denver. The offensive outputs might not have been overwhelming — 18 points versus Atlanta and 13 against Denver — but efficiency and smart play have defined Fields' early games.
Roethlisberger, who is no stranger to efficient quarterback play, has expressed his support for Fields. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," said Roethlisberger. He emphasized the importance of consistency and maintaining the rhythm of the team: "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."
Defensive Dominance
While Fields has commanded the offense, Pittsburgh's defense has been equally pivotal in their wins. Much like Roethlisberger's early years when he played alongside a dominant defense, Fields benefits from a unit that excels in pressuring opponents and creating opportunities. In addition, kicker Chris Boswell has been reliable, converting six field goals in their game against Atlanta.
The Legacy of Roethlisberger
Drawing comparisons between Roethlisberger's and Fields' starts isn't without merit. In his rookie season 20 years ago, Roethlisberger stepped in after Tommy Maddox's injury in Week 2 and led the Steelers to a record-setting 15-win season. Despite their regular-season success, the Steelers' campaign ended with a loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Yet Roethlisberger solidified his legacy when he became the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl.
Roethlisberger's journey sets a high benchmark, but his words of encouragement for Fields echo his philosophy on what matters most for a quarterback. "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," he remarked.
Focus on Winning
For Roethlisberger, the essence of quarterbacking transcends individual statistics. "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 advised.
This perspective is rooted in Roethlisberger's own career, where he often prioritized wins over personal accolades. "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 reflected.
The Road Ahead
With Roethlisberger's backing and a solid foundation of team chemistry, Fields looks poised to continue his promising start. The young quarterback's early accomplishments, devoid of turnovers and defined by efficient play, are setting a constructive tone for the season. As the Steelers aim to build and improve upon their early successes, the influence of Roethlisberger's mentorship and philosophy could very well guide Fields to a memorable year.