Twenty years ago, Pittsburgh Steelers fans witnessed the emergence of a rookie quarterback who would become one of the most iconic figures in the franchise's history. Ben Roethlisberger took the reins and led the team to an incredible 12-0 record in his regular season starts, buoyed by a dominant defense and a supportive coaching staff under Bill Cowher.
Fast forward to the present day, and another young quarterback, Justin Fields, is capturing the imagination of the Steelers' faithful. Although not a rookie, Fields is steering the team to what promises to be a memorable season. With the team off to its first 2-0 start since 2020, many are drawing parallels between the journeys of these two quarterbacks.
A Strong Start
Fields' recent performances have been noteworthy. Completing nearly 70% of his passes, he has shown precision and composure under pressure. Key victories on the road against Atlanta and Denver have set a positive tone for the season. In the win against Atlanta, the Steelers' offense managed 18 points, with kicker Chris Boswell contributing significantly by making six field goals. Against Denver, the offense put up 13 points, which was enough to secure a win thanks to the team's strong defensive showing.
What makes Fields' performance even more impressive is his ability to protect the football. In both games, he did not commit any turnovers—a critical factor in the Steelers' early success. Fields' efficiency has drawn praise from none other than Roethlisberger himself, who recognizes the importance of this facet of the game.
Roethlisberger on Fields
"If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," Roethlisberger asserted, emphasizing the importance of continuity and rhythm in developing a winning team. "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’s insights are not merely those of a retired player but of a seasoned veteran who understands the ebb and flow of an NFL season. His own career had moments where putting up "big numbers" took a backseat to securing wins. "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 remarked.
Winning Above All
Roethlisberger’s advice to Fields underscores a very fundamental yet often overlooked aspect of quarterback play: winning is the ultimate objective. "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," Roethlisberger emphasized.
The importance of this winning mentality becomes even more evident when considering the broader context. In 2004, the same year Roethlisberger set an AFC record with 15 wins, the Steelers fell short in the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots. However, it wasn't long before Roethlisberger would become the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl, forever cementing his legacy in NFL history.
Team Dynamics and Future Prospects
Fields, much like Roethlisberger, is benefitting from a formidable defense, a hallmark of Steelers football. The defense has been instrumental in both of the team’s recent victories, positioning the Steelers as a balanced and dangerous team moving forward.
The Steelers' ability to adapt and thrive despite challenges, such as Russell Wilson aggravating his calf injury, further demonstrates their resilience. Wilson’s struggles began during the eve of training camp, casting a shadow over his anticipated contributions this season.
With Fields leading the way, the Steelers' prospects appear promising. Roethlisberger's advice to maintain the current momentum and focus on winning is sage counsel. "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 advised.
As the season progresses, Steelers fans have every reason to be optimistic. Fields’ early success, coupled with the team's overall performance, suggests that this could be a season to remember. Much like two decades ago, a young quarterback is making his mark, and Pittsburgh is once again buzzing with excitement.