Twenty years ago, Ben Roethlisberger took the NFL by storm as a rookie quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning all 12 of his regular season starts. Surrounded by a dominant defense, Roethlisberger made an indelible mark on the franchise, eventually becoming the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl. Fast forward to today, and the Steelers are hoping to capture some of that magic again with Justin Fields leading the way.
Rising Star: Justin Fields' Impressive Start
Justin Fields has guided the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020, completing nearly 70% of his passes and securing victories against the Atlanta Falcons and the Denver Broncos. The young quarterback has shown poise and efficiency, essential traits for a signal-caller in the NFL. In these games, the Steelers' offense managed to put up 18 points against Atlanta and 13 points against Denver, showcasing Fields' ability to lead and make critical plays when necessary.
A significant contributor to the Steelers' success has been the reliable leg of Chris Boswell, who made six field goals in their contest against Atlanta. Additionally, Fields has demonstrated remarkable ball security, not committing a single turnover in either of the opening games. This efficiency is something that has caught the attention of Ben Roethlisberger himself.
"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 commented. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there."
Defense and Special Teams: The Unsung Heroes
The Steelers' defense has also played a vital role in their early success, echoing the performance of the 2004 team that helped Roethlisberger secure his place under center. Tenacious and aggressive, the defense has limited opponents' scoring opportunities, providing Justin Fields and the offense with favorable conditions to operate.
Field's ability to avoid turnovers combined with a strong defensive effort has been crucial. "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 noted, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum and cohesion within the team.
Reflections on a Legendary Rookie Season
Roethlisberger's advice to Fields resonates with his own experiences as a rookie. With the 2004 Steelers, Roethlisberger navigated the challenges of taking over for an injured Tommy Maddox in Week 2, eventually leading the team to an AFC record of 15 wins that season. Under the guidance of head coach Bill Cowher, the Steelers reached the AFC Championship Game but were ultimately defeated by the New England Patriots.
Reflecting on his early career, Roethlisberger offered sage advice to Fields: "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 continued, emphasizing the importance of 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."
Looking Forward
As the Steelers aim to build on their 2-0 start, the focus will remain on sustaining the formula that has brought early success—efficient play from Justin Fields, stalwart defense, and the clutch kicking of Chris Boswell. Roethlisberger's reflections serve as a reminder of the importance of team dynamics and the role of a quarterback in leading a franchise to victory.
"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 remarked, a sentiment that Fields is undoubtedly taking to heart as he carves out his path with the Steelers this season.