Twenty years ago, Ben Roethlisberger stepped onto the field as a rookie quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, initiating a journey that would see him become one of the most celebrated players in NFL history. In his debut season, he astounded the league by achieving an unbeaten record in all 12 of his regular season starts. Paired with a dominant defense, his rookie year set the foundation for an exhilarating career. Today, history appears to be hinting at repetition as Justin Fields brings fresh promise to the Steelers.
A Promising Start for Fields
In a flashback to Roethlisberger's early days, Justin Fields is making waves as he leads the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020. With victories against Atlanta and Denver, the buzz is building around this young QB. Fields has demonstrated impressive accuracy, completing nearly 70% of his passes in recent games. The Steelers managed to secure a road victory against Atlanta with 18 points on the board, followed by a win against Denver with 13 points. Chris Boswell’s six field goals in Atlanta were crucial, but it's the synergy between Fields and the Steelers' defense that underscores their recent success.
Consistency and Composure
Justin Fields' ability to avoid turnovers in both contests speaks volumes about his composure and decision-making on the field. Roethlisberger himself has been vocal about Fields' performance, saying, "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there." Roethlisberger's endorsement carries weight; his own career is a testament to navigating the pressures of NFL quarterbacking with poise.
The Steelers' defensive unit has also been instrumental in their early-season triumphs. Their performance has provided Fields the stability needed to find his rhythm. "Once you get into a rhythm and you get good things going, you don't want to mess that up," Roethlisberger pointed out. "Let's not mess up the rhythm of the team and what's going on, and I think they're building." This sentiment echoes the Steelers' philosophy under head coach Bill Cowher in 2004, where the focus was on building momentum and capitalizing on a robust roster.
Strategic Play and Guidance
Fields' disciplined approach mirrors Roethlisberger's own rookie season, where the focus was on minimizing errors and maximizing opportunities. "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," remarked Roethlisberger. Efficiency over exuberance seems to be the guiding principle in Fields' early career. Roethlisberger's advice to Fields revolves around steadfastness: "The only stat that matters is a W and the turnovers. You’re winning the turnover battle, and you’re winning." Roethlisberger's career, marked by strategic and adaptable play, offers a blueprint Fields seems to be following.
Russell Wilson's lingering calf injury, which began on the eve of training camp, has exacerbated recently, opening the door for Fields' continued tenure in the starting role. This situation recalls the 2004 season for the Steelers, where Tommy Maddox's injury in Week 2 paved the way for Roethlisberger’s unexpected ascent. The Steelers went on to set an AFC record with 15 wins that season before falling to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
A Legacy of Winning
Roethlisberger’s career is a shining example of what it means to be a successful quarterback. "I didn’t always put up big numbers, but I prided myself in getting wins," he reflected. His journey culminated in becoming the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl, a milestone that remains part of his enduring legacy. As he watches Fields, Roethlisberger offers invaluable perspective on the essence of quarterbacking: winning above all else.
Justin Fields, now 2-0 as the Steelers' starting quarterback, has shown early signs that he might have the makings of another Pittsburgh great. In the words of Roethlisberger, "As a quarterback, you're supposed to win football games by any means necessary." Fields appears to be internalizing this ethos, setting the stage for what could be a remarkable season. The Steelers’ faithful can only hope that Fields' promising start will echo the unforgettable rookie year Roethlisberger delivered two decades ago.