Twenty years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed a rookie quarterback who would go on to leave an indelible mark in the annals of NFL history. Ben Roethlisberger, in his first season, notched an impressive 12-0 record in regular season starts, aided by a formidable defense. Fast forward to 2023, and the Steelers find themselves under the leadership of another promising young quarterback, Justin Fields, who has led the team to a 2-0 start this season. Despite contrasting playing styles, Roethlisberger sees echoes of his own early days in Fields.
A Promising Start
The Steelers have managed to secure road victories against Atlanta and Denver, showcasing a blend of efficient offense and staunch defense. Fields has demonstrated remarkable accuracy, with a completion rate nearing 70% in recent outings. Against Atlanta, the offense mustered 18 points, while they managed 13 points in Denver. Kicker Chris Boswell has played a crucial role, especially in Atlanta, where he made six field goals. However, the spotlight rightly belongs to Fields, who has orchestrated these victories with poise and precision, committing zero turnovers in either contest.
Roethlisberger's Endorsement
Amidst discussions about the starting quarterback position, especially given Russell Wilson's calf injury, Roethlisberger did not hold back his 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 stated. The rookie legend believes that Fields' current form warrants the continuation of his starting role.
"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 added. He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, urging the team to "not mess up the rhythm of the team and what's going on, and I think they're building."
Winning the Important Battles
For Roethlisberger, the key metric for a quarterback is wins, not individual statistics. Reflecting on his rookie year and beyond, he shared his philosophy with Fields: "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."
Roethlisberger concluded with advice rooted in his own experience: "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."
Looking Back to Look Forward
The Steelers' current defense echoes the dominant unit of Roethlisberger's rookie season. Back then, head coach Bill Cowher guided the team to an AFC record of 15 wins, though they ultimately fell to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Roethlisberger's ascent continued, and he eventually became the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl.
Fields, who is 2-0 as the Steelers' starting quarterback this season, stands at the threshold of a promising journey. Drawing parallels to the early 2000s era, the Steelers' combination of a young quarterback and a robust defense could set the stage for another remarkable chapter in the team's storied history.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Justin Fields to see if he can replicate or even surpass the footsteps of Roethlisberger. With unwavering support from legends like Big Ben, the Steelers appear well-positioned to leverage their early successes for a promising season ahead.