Twenty years ago, a young Ben Roethlisberger stepped onto the field as a rookie quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and took the NFL by storm. Winning all 12 of his regular season starts in his inaugural year, Roethlisberger was backed by a powerful defense that became a hallmark of that memorable season. Fast forward to the present day, and it seems history might be repeating itself, but this time with Justin Fields at the helm.
Justin Fields has led the Steelers to a commanding 2-0 start this season, marking the franchise's best opening since 2020. Fields has shown remarkable accuracy, completing nearly 70% of his passes in these pivotal early games. His performance on the road against Atlanta and Denver underscores his emerging talent, as the Steelers grinded out victory after victory with scores of 18-13 and 13-10, respectively. Special teams also played a crucial role, with kicker Chris Boswell nailing six field goals in Atlanta, ensuring the team capitalized on every opportunity presented to them.
Defensive Backbone
The Steelers' defense has been instrumental in their recent successes. From stifling opposing offenses to forcing crucial turnovers, the defense has created the opportunities that Fields and the offense needed to secure wins. This defensive prowess is reminiscent of the days when Roethlisberger first joined the team, showcasing a blend of solid tackling, effective coverage, and relentless pressure up front.
Fields’ Turnover-Free Play
Remarkably, Fields has managed these victories without committing a single turnover, a feat that speaks volumes about his poise and decision-making under pressure. Former Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger weighed in on Fields' performance, emphasizing the importance of ball security and game management for a quarterback.
"If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," Roethlisberger commented. "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's endorsement is significant, given his experience and stature within the NFL community.
The Value of Winning
In a league that often prioritizes gaudy stats and highlight-reel plays, Roethlisberger's advice to Fields is both simple and profound. "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," Roethlisberger elaborated.
He further 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's emphasis on winning above all is telling. "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 reaffirmed.
Looking Back and Ahead
Reflecting on his own career, Roethlisberger remarked, "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 winning mentality drove him to become the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl, a feat that cemented his legacy and undeniably impacted the Steelers' storied franchise.
While Justin Fields has a long journey ahead to measure up to such legendary feats, his promising start has undoubtedly brought a sense of optimism and excitement to Pittsburgh. With a rock-solid defense behind him and a no-nonsense approach to the game, Fields seems poised to write his own chapter in the annals of Steelers history.
In the world of professional football, replicating the success of legends like Roethlisberger is no small task. But with the right mix of talent, poise, and guidance, Justin Fields is off to an impressive beginning—showing that sometimes, the past and present can harmonize in the most inspiring ways.