Why Ben Roethlisberger believes Steelers' Justin Fields ought to proceed to start out at QB over Russell Wilson

Precisely 20 years in the past, a rookie quarterback named Ben Roethlisberger was thrown into the beginning lineup after an damage took out the Steelers‘ beginning quarterback. Whereas he definitely had his moments that foreshadowed his future Corridor of Fame profession, Roethlisberger largely leaned on a dominant protection that 12 months whereas profitable every of his 13 common season begins. 

That have may be a part of why Roethlisberger feels the present Steelers ought to proceed to stay with Justin Fields even when Russell Wilson is medically cleared to play in Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers. Fields, regardless of not placing up a ton of passing yards in Pittsburgh’s first two video games, performed an integral position within the Steelers’ first 2-0 begin since 2020. 

“If Russ is wholesome, I am sticking with Justin,” Roethlisberger said on his podcast. “I believe that he has earned, deserves the proper to remain there.”

Fields performed effectively sufficient for the Steelers to turn into the franchise’s first crew in 25 years to win their first two video games that additionally occurred to be on the highway. He accomplished almost 70% of his passes in these video games as Pittsburgh registered highway wins over Atlanta and Denver. The Steelers received regardless of the offense scoring simply 18 and 13 factors, respectively. Chris Boswell saved the day with six discipline objectives in Atlanta, and penalties prevented Pittsburgh from scoring extra this previous Sunday in Denver. 

The dearth of factors has led to some various viewpoints relating to Fields’ efficiency in these video games. Roethlisberger is clearly a part of the Steelers’ fan base who is inspired with Fields’ play to date. 

“To this point, I like what I’ve seen,” Roethlisberger mentioned of Fields. “I like that he is entering into it. I like that he is getting the texture of it. In case you instructed me that they are 1-1 or 0-2 and this is occurring, I might say, ‘Yeah, we have to do one thing.’ However once more, he is not turning the ball over.” 

Roethlisberger mentioned preserving Fields within the beginning lineup would give Wilson the chance to totally recuperate from his calf damage, which he aggravated two weeks in the past after initially injuring it on the eve of coaching camp. Roethlisberger reiterated the truth that the Steelers received their first two video games with Fields, who didn’t commit a turnover in both contest. 

“He is been environment friendly. He is been good with the ball,” Roethlisberger mentioned. “So I believe you have to stick with him, I actually do, and see what occurs.”

Roethlisberger acknowledged the truth that Fields hasn’t thrown for a ton of yards and the Steelers’ offense hasn’t scored numerous factors to date. That being mentioned, Roethlisberger feels that Fields has carried out effectively for somebody who wasn’t speculated to be the beginning quarterback. 

“Would you prefer to see 400 yards and and three touchdowns and one dashing landing? After all you’d,” Roethlisberger mentioned. “However you understand what else you are going to be proud of? You will be proud of a man proper now that wasn’t even actually speculated to in all probability begin this 12 months, going 2-0, taking good care of the soccer, making performs, generally out of nothing when guys are getting in.”

Fields is probably not as polished as Wilson, however Roethlisberger identified how Fields’ recreation offers the Steelers’ offense a component it would not in any other case have. It paid dividends on Pittsburgh’s first scoring drive Sunday, as Fields evaded strain and took off for a 16-yard acquire. 

“He is one other working again again there,” Roethlisberger mentioned. “He is enormous.” 

Roethlisberger talked about his rookie season when he changed Tommy Maddox after Maddox went down with an damage in Week 2. Whereas it wasn’t a season-ending damage, Maddox remained on the sideline because the Steelers continued to win and Roethlisberger continued to play effectively. The Steelers ended up profitable a then-AFC document 15 video games earlier than dropping to the Patriots within the AFC Championship Recreation. A 12 months later, Roethlisberger grew to become the youngest beginning quarterback to win the Tremendous Bowl. 

Invoice Cowher, the previous Steelers Corridor of Fame head coach, did not mess along with his crew’s momentum by going again to Maddox in 2004. Roethlisberger feels present Steelers lead man Mike Tomlin ought to do the identical factor now. 

“When you get right into a rhythm and also you get good issues going, you do not need to mess that up,” Roethlisberger mentioned. “Let’s not mess up the rhythm of the crew and what is going on on, and I believe they’re constructing. They regarded higher this week than final week. In the event that they proceed to construct, I believe that that is the transfer. You stick with it.” 

Roethlisberger additionally supplied a message for Fields, who mentioned following Sunday’s win that he doesn’t need to “give the position up.” 

“I might inform him, the one stat that issues is a W and the turnovers,” he mentioned. “You are profitable the turnover battle, and also you’re profitable. Don’t fret about what individuals are saying when it comes to yards, when it comes to touchdowns, when it comes to all that. You are profitable. On the finish of the day, as a quarterback, that is what you need. I did not all the time put up massive numbers, however I prided myself in getting wins, and that is what you are speculated to do. 

“As a quarterback, you are speculated to win soccer video games by any means mandatory.”