Twenty years ago, Ben Roethlisberger stepped onto the field as a rookie quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and never looked back. Winning all 12 of his regular season starts, Roethlisberger's debut was nothing short of historic. Surrounded by a powerhouse defense, he quickly showed he had the mettle to lead a team steeped in a tradition of excellence.
Fast forward to the present, and the Steelers may be witnessing another emerging star in Justin Fields. Fields has navigated the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020, impressively completing nearly 70% of his passes. Under his command, the Steelers secured road victories against Atlanta and Denver, even as the offense only managed 18 points against Atlanta and 13 against Denver. The critical role of the Steelers' defense in these wins cannot be understated, stifling opponents' offensive efforts and allowing Fields the breathing room to perform.
Offensive Efficiency in Focus
Fields' start has been characterized by offensive efficiency and judicious ball management. In these two games, he committed no turnovers—a key factor in the team's success. As a rookie, this kind of poise under pressure has not gone unnoticed. Chris Boswell’s six field goals against Atlanta were crucial, yet it's Fields' command of the team that has pundits drawing comparisons to the early days of Roethlisberger's career.
Even with the modest point totals, the rationale behind sticking with Fields is clear. "He's been efficient. He's been good with the ball," Roethlisberger stated. "So I think you've got to stay with him, I really do, and see what happens."
Leadership under Cowher
Rewinding to 2004, it was under head coach Bill Cowher that the Steelers set an AFC record with 15 wins. That season, Roethlisberger stepped up after Tommy Maddox was injured in Week 2. The Steelers ultimately fell to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, but Roethlisberger became the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl shortly thereafter, cementing his legacy early.
Roethlisberger's reflections on quarterback performance emphasize winning above all else. "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."
Maintaining Momentum
The notion of disrupting a rhythm is a critical one in sports. Once momentum is built, introducing changes can often lead to unforeseen complications. As Roethlisberger noted, "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."
This perspective is essential for understanding why the Steelers are so committed to Fields amid the uncertainty surrounding Russell Wilson's aggravated calf injury, which began just before the start of training camp. As the situation with Wilson unfolds, Roethlisberger’s endorsement rings loud and clear: "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there."
Balancing Performance and Winning
While fans and analysts alike might crave the flash of 400-yard games and multiple touchdowns, the simplicity of winning games holds its own appeal. Roethlisberger encapsulates this tension perfectly: "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."
With a 2-0 start and no turnovers, Fields is quietly establishing a foundation that might evoke memories of Roethlisberger's storied beginnings. Only time will tell if Fields can rise to similar heights. For now, his focus remains on getting the team into scoring position and securing wins—just as his predecessor once did.