Twenty years ago, Ben Roethlisberger burst onto the scene as a rookie quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers, achieving an incredible feat by winning all 12 of his regular season starts. Now, the Steelers find themselves in a similar situation, albeit with a new dynamic under center: Justin Fields.
Strong Start for Fields
Justin Fields is currently leading the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020. His performance has been notable, completing nearly 70% of his passes in recent games. Fields has demonstrated a knack for efficiency and ball security, having committed no turnovers in either of his first two contests. The Steelers' offense has managed to secure victories with 18 points scored against Atlanta and 13 points against Denver, underscoring the contributions of kicker Chris Boswell, who made six field goals in Atlanta.
A Blast from the Past
The situation draws parallels to Roethlisberger's rookie season in 2004. That year, Roethlisberger stepped in after Tommy Maddox was injured in Week 2. Under the guidance of head coach Bill Cowher, the Steelers set an AFC record with 15 wins. Despite a strong season, the team fell short in the AFC Championship Game against Tom Brady's New England Patriots. Yet, Roethlisberger's early career ultimately culminated in him becoming the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl.
Roethlisberger's Endorsement
Reflecting on Fields' promising start, Roethlisberger had high praise for the young quarterback. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," Roethlisberger said. He emphasized Fields' efficiency and ball management, adding, "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 cautioned against disrupting the team's current momentum. "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 noted.
Focus on Winning
Roethlisberger also provided some sage advice to Fields, advising him to prioritize wins over personal stats. "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.
Sharing insights from his own career, Roethlisberger reflected, "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 Promising Future
The Steelers' current success is not solely the result of Fields' play; the defense has played a critical role in securing their recent victories. The team's overall performance harkens back to the days of Roethlisberger's rookie season, where a strong defense complemented his efforts on the field.
As the season progresses, the Steelers and their fans are hopeful that Fields can continue to build on this early success. With a blend of youthful talent and veteran wisdom at play, Pittsburgh aims to navigate the season with the same resilience and determination that has defined their storied history.
In the end, while reminiscing about Roethlisberger's early days is gratifying, the focus is now on the present. Under the bright lights, Justin Fields is making a name for himself, carving out his legacy game by game. And if the first two games are any indication, both he and the Steelers are on a promising path.