Roethlisberger Reflects on Steelers' Evolution and Justin Fields' Emergence
Twenty years ago, a rookie quarterback named Ben Roethlisberger found himself thrust into the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting lineup following an injury to their starting quarterback. Roethlisberger quickly made a name for himself, winning all 12 of his regular season starts and playing alongside a dominant defense that was critical to their success.
Fast forward to two recent matchups where Justin Fields played a pivotal role in leading the Steelers to their first 2-0 start since 2020. Fields showed remarkable efficiency, completing nearly 70% of his passes as the Steelers secured road victories against Atlanta and Denver. Despite the offense managing only 18 and 13 points respectively in these games, it was enough to keep the team ahead.
Special teams came through in the clutch, particularly Chris Boswell, who saved the day with six field goals in Atlanta. It was a defensive effort to remember, as penalties seemed to hold back the Steelers from scoring more in their game against Denver. Fields, notably, did not commit any turnovers in either contest, indicating a careful and measured approach to his gameplay.
Roethlisberger, now a seasoned veteran and analyst, weighed in on Fields' performance and the team's prospects. "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there," he stated. Roethlisberger's confidence in Fields stems not just from the wins, but from the quarterback's efficiency and ball control. "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."
Injuries have also played a part in the current dynamic of the team. Russell Wilson aggravated his calf injury two weeks ago, an issue that began during the eve of training camp. These setbacks often lead to shifts in player roles and opportunities for emerging talents, much like Roethlisberger's ascension two decades ago.
Looking back to 2004, Bill Cowher, then head coach, didn't replace Roethlisberger with Tommy Maddox after Maddox’s injury in Week 2. The decision paid off as the Steelers set an AFC record with 15 wins before falling to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. A year later, Roethlisberger became the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl, etching his name in NFL history.
Regarding Fields keeping the starting position, Roethlisberger emphasized the importance of momentum and consistency. "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 praised Fields for avoiding turnovers and making crucial plays despite challenging circumstances.
"Would you like to see 400 yards and three touchdowns and one rushing touchdown? Of course you would," Roethlisberger mused. "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." These insights underline the balance between individual statistics and the overarching goal of winning games.
Roethlisberger also shared advice for Fields, underscoring the essence of a quarterback's role. "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."
For Roethlisberger, it's not just about the numbers; it's about the triumphs. "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 philosophy resonates now as the Steelers look to build on their early successes. With Fields at the helm, supported by strategic defense and special teams, the echoes of past triumphs provide a hopeful narrative for the future, blending lessons from Roethlisberger's storied career with the promise of new beginnings.