Twenty years ago, Ben Roethlisberger was a surprising yet dominant force as a rookie quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fast forward to the present, and it's Justin Fields who is capturing the spotlight, leading the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020. Roethlisberger's rookie season was marked by an impressive 12-0 record in his regular season starts, a feat supported by a strong defense. Now, Fields seems to be walking a similar path, relying on both his skillset and a formidable Steelers defense.
A Promising Start for Fields
Justin Fields has emerged as a reliable leader on the field, completing nearly 70% of his passes in recent games. This accuracy has helped the Steelers secure road victories against tough opponents like Atlanta and Denver. Fields' efficiency is mirrored in the absence of turnovers in these contests, a critical factor in maintaining the team's winning momentum. Pittsburgh's offense, while not lighting up the scoreboard, managed 18 points against Atlanta and 13 against Denver. This conservative yet effective approach has been foundational to their early success.
Key Contributions from the Defense and Special Teams
The Steelers' defense has played a critical role in these wins, much like in Roethlisberger's rookie year. The defense's ability to stifle opponents' offenses and create opportunities for the Steelers' own attack has been invaluable. Additionally, special teams have stepped up significantly, with kicker Chris Boswell making six crucial field goals in the game against Atlanta.
Roethlisberger's Endorsement
Ben Roethlisberger has been vocal about his support for Fields, emphasizing the importance of rhythm and continuity within the team. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," Roethlisberger stated. His endorsement underscores the belief that Fields’ efficient play and careful handling of the football are crucial to the team's success.
Roethlisberger added, "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." This sentiment is reflective of Roethlisberger's own experience as a rookie when he prioritized wins over individual stats. "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," he pointed out.
Consistency Over Big Numbers
In a league where high-flying offensive stats often grab headlines, Roethlisberger's advice to Fields is rooted in a philosophy that values wins and turnover avoidance over flashy numbers. "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," he reflected.
This pragmatic approach is something Roethlisberger lived by during his career. "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 advised.
He continued, "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."
A Look Back at 2004
The parallels between 2004 and now are intriguing. Back then, Bill Cowher was the head coach, and an injury to Tommy Maddox in Week 2 led to Roethlisberger's rise. The Steelers went on to set an AFC record with 15 wins, though they ultimately fell to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Roethlisberger's career would soon see him become the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl, setting a standard for future rookies like Fields to aspire to.
As Justin Fields aims to carve out his own legacy, he's fortunate to have the backing of a legend who understands the pressures and challenges of stepping into the starting role unexpectedly. Fields' journey is just beginning, but with guidance from Roethlisberger's experiences and a strong team around him, the possibilities seem promising for Pittsburgh's latest quarterback sensation.