Twenty years ago, a young Ben Roethlisberger stepped onto the field as a rookie quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, embarking on what would become a legendary career. Fast forward to the present, another young quarterback, Justin Fields, is writing his own chapter with the Steelers. Fields has led Pittsburgh to their first 2-0 start since 2020, sparking comparisons to Roethlisberger's own early success.
A Promising Start
In his rookie season, Roethlisberger won all 12 of his regular-season starts, benefiting from the support of a dominant defense and a seasoned head coach in Bill Cowher. This season, Fields appears to be following a similar script. Not only has he completed nearly 70% of his passes in the first two games, but he has also shown commendable ball security, avoiding turnovers entirely in their recent contests.
Key victories on the road against Atlanta and Denver have showcased the Steelers' resilience. They managed 18 points against Atlanta and 13 against Denver, with notable contributions from placekicker Chris Boswell, who nailed six field goals in Atlanta. While these offensive numbers might not seem particularly impressive, they've been enough to secure crucial wins, thanks in no small part to the defense's critical performance.
The Influence of a Veteran
Roethlisberger has weighed in on Fields' performance, providing both praise and perspective. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," Roethlisberger commented, emphasizing that Fields' efficiency and care with the football warrant his continued starting role. "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 added.
Having transitioned from a time when he was the young quarterback defying expectations to a veteran offering advice, Roethlisberger's insights carry weight. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining the team's rhythm and building on current successes: "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."
A Winning Mentality
Roethlisberger's advice to Fields underscores the essence of winning football games, irrespective of individual statistics. "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 expressed. "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 speaks from experience, reminding us that his own career was not always about putting up astronomical numbers, but about securing victories. "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 shared.
Legacy in the Making
As the Steelers continue their season with Fields at the helm, the echoes of Roethlisberger's early career success resonate strongly within the organization. Fields' performance thus far has set a sturdy foundation for what they hope will be a successful year. And with the immense support from both the offensive and defensive units, along with mentorship from seasoned players like Roethlisberger, Fields is poised to steer the Steelers towards greater achievements.
While it's still early in the season, the parallels between Fields and Roethlisberger's rookie campaigns offer a tantalizing glimpse into what could be another remarkable journey for a Pittsburgh quarterback. The Steelers' faithful will undoubtedly be watching closely, hoping that Fields can continue to grow into the role and potentially lead the team to the same heights that Roethlisberger once did.