Twenty years ago, rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger dazzled the NFL by winning all 12 of his regular season starts for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Anchored by a dominant defense and the guidance of head coach Bill Cowher, Roethlisberger's inaugural season set the foundation for the Steelers to achieve an AFC record with 15 wins, though they ultimately fell to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. The young quarterback's meteoric rise continued as he became the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl.
Fast forward to the present, and the Steelers are once again experiencing a promising start under the leadership of another emerging quarterback, Justin Fields. With the team off to its first 2-0 start since 2020, Fields has completed nearly 70% of his passes in recent games, a mark of his growing confidence and efficiency. In the opening weeks, the Steelers secured hard-fought road victories against the Atlanta Falcons and the Denver Broncos, managing 18 points against Atlanta and 13 points against Denver.
A Defense-First Approach
In many ways, Fields' early success is reminiscent of Roethlisberger's debut season, particularly in how he benefits from a stout defensive unit. The Steelers' defense has played a critical role in recent victories, shutting down opponents and providing the offense with favorable opportunities. Notably, kicker Chris Boswell has also been a crucial contributor, making six field goals in the Atlanta game alone.
Fields has been remarkably careful with the football, committing no turnovers in either of the first two contests. This ball security has been emphasized by Roethlisberger, who expressed confidence in Fields during a recent interview. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," Roethlisberger stated, lauding Fields' efficiency and playmaking ability.
Building Momentum
The importance of maintaining a winning rhythm was a significant point for Roethlisberger, who emphasized the need to keep Fields in a starting role. "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. The stability provided by Fields, along with his ability to generate plays under pressure, has clearly impressed the former Super Bowl winner.
Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who has been grappling with a calf injury that began on the eve of training camp, now faces additional pressure as Fields continues to secure victories. Wilson's injury was aggravated two weeks ago, further complicating his return to peak performance. As Roethlisberger observed, it is not purely about the statistical dominance when assessing a quarterback's impact. "Would you like to see 400 yards and three touchdowns and one rushing touchdown? Of course you would," Roethlisberger remarked. "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."
The Only Stat That Matters
For Roethlisberger, winning and minimizing turnovers are the core metrics for quarterback success. He stressed that to Fields, saying, "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."
The wisdom extracted from Roethlisberger's storied career reflects a pragmatic approach to quarterback play. "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," he added. Fields appears to be adopting a similar ethos, managing games efficiently and ensuring the Steelers exit the field with a victory.
As the Steelers move forward with Justin Fields at the helm, echoes of Roethlisberger’s rookie year resonate through Pittsburgh. A defense that excels, an offense that capitalizes on critical moments, and a young quarterback who understands the primary goal – winning – may combine to create a season to remember.