Twenty years ago, Pittsburgh Steelers fans watched as a young rookie quarterback named Ben Roethlisberger defied expectations and led the team to a remarkable season. Fast forward to the present day, and there's a familiar sense of enthusiasm as the Steelers begin their season with a 2-0 start, now under the leadership of Justin Fields.
A Flashback to Roethlisberger's Rookie Year
Reflecting on Roethlisberger’s rookie season in 2004, he won all 12 of his regular season starts, aided by a stellar defense. Despite a strong season that saw the Steelers setting an AFC record with 15 wins, the journey ended in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. Roethlisberger, who went on to become the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl, credits those experiences with shaping his approach to winning despite not always putting up impressive numbers.
"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.
Fields Making Waves in Pittsburgh
Justin Fields is quickly making a name for himself, leading the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020. His precision has been noteworthy, completing nearly 70% of his passes in recent games. The Steelers' victories against Atlanta and Denver were team efforts, with the offense managing 18 points against Atlanta and 13 points against Denver. Kicker Chris Boswell’s six field goals in Atlanta were instrumental as well.
However, credit must be given to the defense for their critical role in these wins. The ability of the defense to stymie opponents has been a game-changer. Additionally, Fields' ball security has been impeccable, not committing any turnovers in these contests. Fields’ leadership has impressed Roethlisberger, who believes he should keep the starting position even if Russell Wilson, who aggravated his calf injury two weeks ago, returns healthy.
"If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," Roethlisberger stated. "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."
Stability and Growth Under Fire
The ability to remain steady and avoid mistakes has resonated well within the Steelers’ camp. Roethlisberger’s advice to continue with Fields centers around keeping the team’s rhythm intact. "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 remarked.
Roethlisberger even addressed the importance of focusing on wins over statistics for a young quarterback like 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," he noted.
Advice from a Veteran
Roethlisberger’s advice to Fields encapsulates the essence of what it means to be a quarterback at the professional level. "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," Roethlisberger emphasized.
As Fields continues to grow into his role, the wisdom shared by a seasoned veteran like Roethlisberger could prove invaluable. The balance of efficient play, team rhythm, and a focus on winning over stats might be the perfect ingredients for a successful season. With solid performances from both the offense and defense, Steelers fans have every reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.