Reflecting on the Steelers' Quarterback Legacy
Two decades ago, a young quarterback named Ben Roethlisberger began his legendary journey with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Back in his rookie year, Roethlisberger astoundingly won all 12 of his regular season starts. Aided by a tenacious defense, his early success laid the foundation for an impressive career that would eventually see him become the youngest starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl.
Fast forward to the present, and another rising star is making waves in Pittsburgh. Justin Fields has piloted the Steelers to a 2-0 start, marking their best beginning to a season since 2020. Fields boasts a near 70% pass completion rate in recent games, leading the team to victory against Atlanta and Denver. Notably, the Steelers' offense managed 18 points against Atlanta and 13 points against Denver, underscoring the crucial role of their defense in these wins.
In these matches, the reliability of kicker Chris Boswell, who made six field goals in Atlanta, and the tactical prowess of the defense played critical roles. Moreover, Fields' ability to protect the ball has been instrumental; he committed no turnovers in either contest. This disciplined approach has not gone unnoticed, especially to those who have closely followed the Steelers' quarterback lineage.
Roethlisberger, now a seasoned veteran, has candidly expressed his admiration for Fields. Talking about the young quarterback's performance, Roethlisberger stated, "If Russ is healthy, I'm sticking with Justin. I think that he has earned, deserves the right to stay there." His words echo the sentiment that Fields has proved his mettle and merits continued opportunities to lead the team.
Roethlisberger's backing isn't just about Fields’ statistical accomplishments but also about the rhythm and chemistry he has cultivated with the current squad. "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 elaborated. This insight underlines the importance of maintaining continuity and stability for the sake of team dynamics.
Reflecting on his own career, Roethlisberger recalled, "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." His advice leans heavily on fostering what is currently working for the Steelers, with a focus on the bigger picture rather than getting entangled in the minutiae of individual statistics.
Roethlisberger's pragmatic approach is well-suited for a quarterback stepping up under unexpected circumstances. He emphasized, "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."
Importantly, Roethlisberger advises Fields to keep his focus on the outcomes that matter most. "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 noted. This perspective is deeply rooted in the ethos of championship-winning teams, where victory and ball security trump all other metrics.
Roethlisberger further reflected on his own career philosophy, stating, "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." His words resonate with a timeless truth in football: the ultimate measure of a quarterback’s success is the ability to lead their team to victory.
With a storied past and an eye on the future, the Steelers continue to navigate the competitive landscape of the NFL. As Fields carries the torch lit by his predecessors, he does so with the wisdom of those who came before him and the unwavering support of a legendary quarterback whose journey once started just like his.