Twenty years ago, Ben Roethlisberger began his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a rookie quarterback, taking the league by storm. Roethlisberger won all 12 of his regular-season starts in his rookie year, thanks in part to a formidable defense. Fast forward to the present and it appears that history might be repeating itself, although with a different cast of characters.
Justin Fields' Impressive Start
Justin Fields is leading the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020, showcasing remarkable efficiency by completing nearly 70% of his passes in recent games. The team secured road victories against Atlanta and Denver, where the offense managed 18 points and 13 points respectively. Chris Boswell’s reliable kicking, making six field goals in Atlanta, has been instrumental. However, it's the Steelers' defense that's drawing the most acclaim for their critical role in these wins.
Fields has been cautious with the football, committing no turnovers in either contest—an essential quality for a team looking to build on early success. Commenting on Fields' performance, Roethlisberger shared his endorsement, "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there."
Efficiency Over Flash
Roethlisberger, reflecting on his own experience, emphasized the importance of efficiency over flashy plays. "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 said of Fields. This pragmatic approach is reminiscent of Roethlisberger's own rookie season, where the Steelers set an AFC record with 15 wins but ultimately lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
Roethlisberger continued, "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." This insight highlights the importance of continuity and chemistry in a successful football team.
Comparing Eras
Drawing parallels between his own rookie year and Fields' current season, Roethlisberger acknowledged the pressure of putting up big numbers but stressed the importance of the win column. "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," Roethlisberger noted.
This focus on winning, even if it means modest stats, is a mentality Roethlisberger internalized during his tenure. "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.
Historical Context
Looking back, Roethlisberger's advice comes from a place of experience and success. In 2004, under the guidance of head coach Bill Cowher, the Steelers excelled, even as Roethlisberger stepped in following an injury to Tommy Maddox in Week 2. Despite falling short of the Super Bowl that season, Roethlisberger's career reached its pinnacle when he became the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl.
"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 explained, encapsulating the essence of quarterbacking success.
As Justin Fields continues to navigate through the current season, the support and wisdom from a legendary predecessor like Roethlisberger could prove invaluable. With a promising start and leadership qualities already on display, Fields has the potential to carve out a notable chapter in Steelers' history, much like Big Ben did two decades ago.