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

That have could 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 towards 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 stated on his podcast. “I believe that he has earned, deserves the best to remain there.”

Fields performed properly sufficient for the Steelers to turn into the franchise’s first staff in 25 years to win their first two video games that additionally occurred to be on the street. He accomplished almost 70% of his passes in these video games as Pittsburgh registered street 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 area targets in Atlanta, and penalties prevented Pittsburgh from scoring extra this previous Sunday in Denver. 

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

“Thus far, I like what I’ve seen,” Roethlisberger stated of Fields. “I like that he is moving into it. I like that he is getting the texture of it. Should you advised me that they are 1-1 or 0-2 and this is happening, I might say, ‘Yeah, we have to do one thing.’ However once more, he isn’t turning the ball over.” 

Roethlisberger stated maintaining Fields within the beginning lineup would give Wilson the chance to totally recuperate from his calf harm, 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 stated. “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 a variety of factors up to now. That being stated, Roethlisberger feels that Fields has carried out properly for somebody who wasn’t presupposed to be the beginning quarterback. 

“Would you prefer to see 400 yards and and three touchdowns and one speeding landing? In fact you’ll,” Roethlisberger stated. “However what else you are going to be proud of? You will be proud of a man proper now that wasn’t even actually presupposed to in all probability begin this yr, 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 provides 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 stress and took off for a 16-yard acquire. 

“He is one other operating again again there,” Roethlisberger stated. “He is enormous.” 

Roethlisberger talked about his rookie season when he changed Tommy Maddox after Maddox went down with an harm in Week 2. Whereas it wasn’t a season-ending harm, Maddox remained on the sideline because the Steelers continued to win and Roethlisberger continued to play properly. The Steelers ended up successful a then-AFC report 15 video games earlier than dropping to the Patriots within the AFC Championship Sport. A yr 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 together with his staff’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 stated. “Let’s not mess up the rhythm of the staff and what is going on on, and I believe they’re constructing. They appeared 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 offered a message for Fields, who stated following Sunday’s win that he doesn’t need to “give the place up.” 

“I’d inform him, the one stat that issues is a W and the turnovers,” he stated. “You are successful the turnover battle, and also you’re successful. 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 successful. On the finish of the day, as a quarterback, that is what you need. I did not all the time put up huge numbers, however I prided myself in getting wins, and that is what you are presupposed to do. 

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