Twenty years ago, rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led the Pittsburgh Steelers to an extraordinary rookie season, winning all 12 of his regular season starts. Fast forward to the present, Justin Fields appears poised to follow in the Hall of Famer's footsteps, steering the Steelers to a promising 2-0 start, a feat the franchise hasn't achieved since 2020.
Early Season Momentum
Under Fields' leadership, the Steelers have secured impressive road victories against Atlanta and Denver. Fields demonstrated impressive precision, completing nearly 70% of his passes and, crucially, committing no turnovers in both contests. The offense, while not explosive, managed to score 18 points against Atlanta and 13 against Denver. A significant contribution came from kicker Chris Boswell, who made six field goals in Atlanta alone.
A Defensive Backbone
Much like during Roethlisberger's rookie season, the current Steelers boast a dominant defense. The defensive unit has played a pivotal role in the team's recent successes, providing a solid foundation upon which Fields and the offense can build.
Support from a Steelers Legend
Ben Roethlisberger himself has voiced strong support for Fields. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," Roethlisberger said, emphasizing the young quarterback's efficiency and care with the football. "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 understands the importance of continuity in football. "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 added, "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."
Focus on Winning
Roethlisberger also had some advice for Fields, focusing on the importance of victories and ball security. "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." He concluded with a reflection on his own career, "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."
Historical Context and Future Prospects
In 2004, Bill Cowher's Steelers set an AFC record with 15 wins, thanks to Roethlisberger stepping in following Tommy Maddox's injury in Week 2. Although that season ended in disappointment with a loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, it set the stage for future success. Roethlisberger would go on to become the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl.
While Justin Fields' journey is just beginning, the early signs are promising. If he continues to lead the team effectively and maintain his current level of performance, Pittsburgh might find themselves with another franchise quarterback capable of taking them deep into the postseason. The echoes of Roethlisberger's endorsement resonate not just as praise, but as a potential prophecy for Fields' burgeoning career in the Steelers' storied legacy.