Twenty years ago, Ben Roethlisberger emerged as a rookie sensation for the Pittsburgh Steelers, guiding the team to an impressive 15-win season and eventually becoming the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl. Today, the Steelers seem to be experiencing a resurgence, driven by the promising start of another young quarterback, Justin Fields.
A Promising Start for Fields
Justin Fields has led the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020, demonstrating not only impressive efficiency but also a remarkable poise under pressure. Fields completed nearly 70% of his passes in recent games, refusing to commit any turnovers, a feat that would make any veteran QB proud.
The Steelers secured road victories against Atlanta and Denver, showcasing not just the offense's capabilities, but also the critical role of the defense. The defense, reminiscent of the dominant unit that supported Roethlisberger's early years, played a pivotal part in both wins.
Pivotal Performances and Key Contributions
In the game against Atlanta, Chris Boswell's reliability as a kicker came into sharp focus as he nailed six field goals, contributing significantly to the Steelers' 18-15 victory. Against Denver, while the offense managed just 13 points, the defense stood strong, allowing the Steelers to emerge victorious once again.
Fields' ability to remain calm and effective has not gone unnoticed by his predecessor, Roethlisberger. Praising the young quarterback, Roethlisberger remarked, "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there." He further emphasized, "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."
Building a Winning Rhythm
Roethlisberger also highlighted the importance of maintaining team rhythm, a critical factor in prolonged success. "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 said.
Indeed, rhythm and consistency are key. Fields' performance, characterized by his ability to avoid turnovers and make pivotal plays even when under duress, aligns perfectly with Roethlisberger's philosophy. "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."
Valuing Wins Above All
Roethlisberger distilled his wisdom in a simple yet profound piece of advice for Fields: "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." These words resonate with any quarterback aiming to make his mark in the NFL.
A Legacy of Winning
Reflecting on his own career, Roethlisberger shared, "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." This timeless principle lies at the core of not just Roethlisberger's success but also the potential future success of Justin Fields.
With Fields at the helm, the Steelers have started their season on a high note, boasting a 2-0 record. As the young quarterback continues to grow and adapt to the rigors of the NFL, he'll aim to replicate, if not surpass, the feats of the Roethlisberger era. For now, the Steelers and their fans can relish in the promising dawn of Justin Fields.