Twenty years ago, Ben Roethlisberger made his NFL debut as a rookie quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a remarkable 2004 season, Roethlisberger won all 12 of his regular season starts, playing alongside a dominant defense. The year culminated with the Steelers setting an AFC record with 15 wins, although they eventually fell to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Roethlisberger went on to become the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl, cementing his legacy in NFL history.
Fast forward to the present, and Justin Fields is evoking memories of Roethlisberger's rookie season. Fields has led the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020, completing nearly 70% of his passes in recent games. The team secured road victories against Atlanta and Denver, with the offense scoring 18 points against Atlanta and 13 points against Denver. Part of this success can be attributed to kicker Chris Boswell, who made six field goals in Atlanta. Yet, it is the Steelers' defense that has played a critical role in these victories, mirroring the strong defensive unit Roethlisberger had during his rookie year.
Roethlisberger's Endorsement
Reflecting on the performance of Justin Fields, Roethlisberger expressed confidence in the young quarterback. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," Roethlisberger affirmed. He added, "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's words carry weight, given his own storied career and understanding of the rigors of being a young quarterback in the NFL. "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 noted.
Focus on Efficiency
The former Steelers quarterback emphasized the importance of winning and minimizing turnovers over personal 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," Roethlisberger stated.
Indeed, Fields has managed to avoid turnovers in both contests, an essential factor contributing to the Steelers' 2-0 start. "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 advised.
Winning Above All
Roethlisberger has always prided himself on winning, even if it meant not putting up gaudy 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," he said. This philosophy seems to be inculcating itself in Fields, who has demonstrated poise and maturity early in the season.
A Promising Future
The Steelers faithful have reasons to be optimistic about Justin Fields. The young quarterback's efficient play and ability to avoid turnovers are promising signs for the future. Coupled with a strong defense and special teams contributions, the team appears to be finding a rhythm, much like the Roethlisberger-led squad of 2004.
As the season progresses, the Steelers will undoubtedly face tougher challenges and stiffer competition. However, if Fields continues to prioritize efficiency and team success, he could find himself following in the footsteps of one of Pittsburgh's favorite sons, Ben Roethlisberger.