Two decades ago, a young rookie named Ben Roethlisberger took the Pittsburgh Steelers by storm, winning all 12 of his regular season starts and helping to set an AFC record with 15 wins. Guided by a dominant defense and the steadfast coaching of Bill Cowher, Roethlisberger's impressive debut season fell just short of a Super Bowl appearance. Fast forward to today, and history seems to be taking a similar turn—this time with Justin Fields at the helm.
A New Beginning
The Steelers, led by Fields, are experiencing a renaissance of sorts, beginning with their first 2-0 start since 2020. Fields has exhibited a remarkable efficiency, completing nearly 70% of his passes and leading the team to key road victories against Atlanta and Denver. Notably, he achieved these wins without committing a single turnover, a testament to his careful management and poise under pressure.
Against Atlanta, the Steelers' offense managed 18 points, largely thanks to Chris Boswell's six field goals. In Denver, the offense put up 13 points, just enough to secure the win as the defense stood tall. It's clear that, as in Roethlisberger's rookie season, the defense is playing a critical role in the team's success.
Veteran Insights
Ben Roethlisberger, now a seasoned veteran, has been vocal in his support for Fields. "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 said. His words carry weight, given that he became the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
Roethlisberger sees something in Fields that resonates with his own early experiences. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," he said. Fields has become a beacon of optimism for Steelers fans, embodying the same resilience and determination that Roethlisberger once displayed.
Earning His Stripes
Fields' capability to guide the team efficiently while protecting the football has not gone unnoticed. "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 remarked. His confidence in Fields is shared by many within the Steelers' organization and fanbase.
Roethlisberger's advice to Fields is rooted in experience. "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. This underscores the simplicity yet importance of focusing on wins over individual statistics, a lesson Roethlisberger himself learned early in his career.
Looking Ahead
As Fields continues to find his rhythm, the Steelers' faithful can only hope that this promising start turns into a season to remember. "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 observed. His words echo the sentiment of maintaining momentum, something that has been critical for the Steelers' early success.
While it may be too early to compare Fields' potential career trajectory with that of Roethlisberger's storied tenure, the similarities in their beginnings are hard to ignore. Success in the NFL often hinges on seizing the opportunity when it's presented—a notion Fields seems to be embracing with both hands.
Roethlisberger summed it up perfectly: "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."
The foundation has been set, and with Fields leading the charge, the future looks bright for the Steelers. If the past is any indicator, Pittsburgh might once again find themselves in the thick of championship contention, fueled by a young quarterback who knows how to win.