Twenty years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves with a promising rookie quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger. In his debut season, Roethlisberger led an exceptional campaign, winning all 12 of his regular season starts, supported by a dominant defense. Fast forward to today, and history seems to be echoing in Pittsburgh, albeit with a different name leading the charge—Justin Fields.
Fields has spearheaded the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020, demonstrating a level of maturity and skill that has turned heads. Completing nearly 70% of his passes in recent games, Fields has shown remarkable efficiency and reliability. The Steelers have secured road victories against Atlanta and Denver, managing 18 points against Atlanta and 13 points against Denver. Key to these victories was the composed performance of Fields, who committed no turnovers in either contest. Another significant contributor was kicker Chris Boswell, who made six field goals in Atlanta, underlining the critical role special teams have played in these wins.
Fields' Impact and Roethlisberger’s Endorsement
The parallels between Roethlisberger’s rookie year and Fields' current form haven't gone unnoticed. Roethlisberger himself has voiced his admiration for the young signal-caller. “If Russ is healthy, I’m sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there,” Roethlisberger said. His comments highlight the importance of consistency and momentum for a team that's seeing positive results under the new quarterback’s leadership.
Roethlisberger elaborated further, “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.” Efficiency has indeed been a hallmark of Fields’ early performances, and maintaining this efficiency will be key as the season progresses.
A Focus on Winning
Roethlisberger’s reflections on his own career provide valuable context for understanding what truly matters for a quarterback. “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 said. This perspective is crucial for Fields, who might not boast gaudy statistics but is accomplishing the most important task: winning games.
Fields’ ability to "make plays, sometimes out of nothing when guys are getting in" is one of the skills that Roethlisberger particularly admires. “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 stated. This sentiment underscores the value of stability at the quarterback position, especially when the team is finding success.
Looking Back to 2004
The 2004 season was a memorable one for the Steelers. Under the guidance of head coach Bill Cowher, the team set an AFC record with 15 wins. Despite the success, the season ended in disappointment with a loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. However, Roethlisberger’s impact was undeniable. He became the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl, setting a high bar for future Steelers quarterbacks.
The Road Ahead
As Fields continues to navigate his burgeoning NFL career, the wisdom imparted by a legend like Roethlisberger could prove invaluable. “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,” advised Roethlisberger. Indeed, the ultimate measure of a quarterback’s success often comes down to the number of victories they help their team secure.
The Steelers' defense has also played an essential role in their early-season success, just as they did during Roethlisberger’s rookie year. The combined efforts of a stout defense and an efficient, turnover-free offense have set the foundation for what could be a promising season. While it’s still early, the similarities between Roethlisberger’s breakout and Fields’ current trajectory offer a glimpse of hope for Steelers fans yearning for a return to glory.
Only time will tell if Fields can echo Roethlisberger’s early success and lead the Steelers to new heights. However, with the team off to a strong start and the endorsement of a legendary predecessor, the future looks bright for Justin Fields and the Pittsburgh Steelers.