Twenty years ago, a rookie named Ben Roethlisberger took the NFL by storm, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to an unprecedented sweep of his regular season starts with an impressive 12-0 record. Fast forward to the present, and history appears to be echoing in the Steel City, albeit with a new protagonist. This season, Justin Fields is leading the charge and has already guided the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020.
A Promising Start
Fields, who has been remarkably efficient, completing nearly 70% of his passes in recent games, has clearly found his rhythm. The Steelers clinched hard-fought road victories against the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos, securing scores of 18 and 13 points, respectively. With Chris Boswell showcasing his clutch kicking by making six field goals in Atlanta, it's evident that the entire team is stepping up when it matters most.
However, it's the Steelers’ defense that has continued to be the bedrock of their success. Their extraordinary efforts have been pivotal in the team's early victories this season. "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 remarked when asked about Fields' performance.
Comparing Gridiron Generations
Back in 2004, alongside Roethlisberger, the Steelers boasted a formidable defense and an offensive unit that did just enough to secure wins. Roethlisberger’s rookie campaign concluded with an AFC record of 15 wins, though it ended in heartbreak with a loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Fields, much like Roethlisberger, has been handed the reins after an injury sidelined the starting quarterback, Russell Wilson, who aggravated his calf injury two weeks ago.
The parallels between Roethlisberger’s rookie season and Fields' current journey are hard to ignore. Bill Cowher was the head coach back then, steering the team to their remarkable run in the 2004 season. Nowadays, similar high hopes rest on the shoulders of Fields, who has shown commendable promise in these early stages, reminiscent of Roethlisberger’s calm under pressure.
A Vote of Confidence
Roethlisberger has nothing but praise and encouragement for the young star. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," he said, signaling his faith in 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."
Indeed, Fields has been taking care of the football, with zero turnovers in the first two contests, a critical aspect of any quarterback’s résumé. Roethlisberger’s advice to Fields is geared towards maintaining this focus on creating wins rather than flashy statistics. "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."
Legacy and Leadership
Reflecting on his own illustrious career, Roethlisberger noted, "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 piece of wisdom underscores the essence of effective leadership that Fields will need to embody as he navigates the challenges ahead.
With a blend of strategic defense, effective special teams play, and a young quarterback rising to the occasion, the Steelers are crafting a narrative filled with potential and excitement. Fields' breakout start has given the Steelers' faithful a reason to dream, harking back to the days when a young Roethlisberger set the league alight.
As the season progresses, all eyes will turn to how Fields continues to write his chapter in the storied franchise's history. And if Roethlisberger's observations are anything to go by, the Steelers might just be on the cusp of another memorable run.