Twenty years ago, a youthful Ben Roethlisberger took the reins as the rookie quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, leading them to an impressive 15-1 season record and an AFC Championship appearance. Fast forward to today, and the Steelers are experiencing a similar surge of optimism under their new starting quarterback, Justin Fields, who has piloted them to an early 2-0 start this season.
Fields has showcased efficiency and composure, completing nearly 70% of his passes without committing any turnovers — a critical factor in the Steelers' recent road victories against Atlanta and Denver. In these outings, Pittsburgh's offense managed 18 points against Atlanta and 13 points against Denver, with veteran kicker Chris Boswell contributing significantly by making six field goals in Atlanta.
Defensive Excellence and Offensive Efficiency
Much like Roethlisberger's rookie year, Justin Fields is benefiting from a robust, dominant defense that has been indispensable in these initial wins. The defensive unit's critical play and ability to stymie opposing offenses have allowed the Steelers to control the tempo and secure victories, even when the offense hasn't posted gaudy numbers.
Roethlisberger himself has been vocal about Fields' accomplishments early in the season. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," said Roethlisberger. Highlighting Fields’ efficiency and ball security, Roethlisberger 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."
This endorsement from a Steelers legend carries weight, signaling confidence in Fields’ ability to lead the team. "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 emphasized, underscoring the importance of maintaining momentum.
A Quarterback's True Measure
While some may yearn for more explosive offensive production, Roethlisberger's perspective offers valuable wisdom. "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 reflected.
For Fields, the focus remains on securing victories and minimizing mistakes. Roethlisberger advised, "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."
This philosophy of valuing wins above all resonates deeply within the Steelers' organization, aligning with the ethos that has defined their success over the years. Roethlisberger pointed out, "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."
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Reflecting on the parallels between 2004 and today, it's clear that the Steelers have a storied history of resilience and adaptability. Under the leadership of Bill Cowher, the 2004 team navigated injuries and adversity, notably when Tommy Maddox went down in Week 2, paving the way for Roethlisberger's historic rookie season. That year, the Steelers set an AFC record with 15 wins but ultimately fell short in the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots. Nonetheless, Roethlisberger's rapid ascent continued, culminating in him becoming the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl.
As Justin Fields charts his path with the Steelers, he does so with the same determination and poise that marked the early stages of Roethlisberger's illustrious career. With a stout defense behind him and a legendary predecessor endorsing his efforts, Fields has an opportunity to forge his own legacy in Pittsburgh. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Fields can lead the Steelers to new heights, carrying forward the torch that Roethlisberger once held.