With Russell Wilson sidelined, Justin Fields has stepped up to show off his skills in Steel City. And let’s be real—he’s not exactly lighting the world on fire, but he’s also not stumbling over himself. Fields has been holding his own, keeping the offense humming with a completion percentage of 70.6% over 830 yards with 3 TDs. However, even the Pittsburgh legend Ben Roethlisberger has noticed a gap in the 25-year-old quarterback’s game.

On the Pat McAfee Show, Ben didn’t pull any punches, stating, “I don’t think Justin Fields is comfortable playing under center, and that comes from college. In my last year in college, I ran the offense from under center every practice, and that helped me when I got to the league.” It’s a solid point—getting that under-center experience can make all the difference when transitioning to the NFL.

But Ben didn’t stop there. He took aim at the modern NCAA style, blaming it for the decline in quarterback play. “I think the college game is potentially hurting quarterbacks. There’s something to be said about getting in the huddle.” It’s a cry not unheard of from retired legends.

Even Tom Brady, the GOAT himself, has called out the trend, saying, “There used to be college programs. Now, there are college teams.” It’s a league-wide issue. QBs are stepping into NFL roles without getting that old-school, under-center experience. Fields, for instance, spent his time at Ohio State mostly in shotgun or pistol formations, which means getting comfortable under center might feel like adjusting to a whole new game. And throughout his time with the Bears, this problem was on show.

And now with the Steelers? We’ve already seen the results on the field. In the season opener, Fields had two fumbled exchanges with his center. While he managed to salvage both plays, gaining yards on one, it’s the kind of shaky execution that could easily turn a promising drive into a disaster. And when you’re trying to establish yourself in the NFL, those small mistakes could be the difference between a game-winning drive or a turnover that costs your team the game.

So, can Fields fix this? Roethlisberger believes it is possible. But he’s got a point—the fundamental skills matter. Nonetheless, he has faith in the 25-year-old to take the reins in the future.

Ben Roethlisberger believes Justin Fields is the ‘guy’!

Ben Roethlisberger knows a thing or two about what it takes to lead the Steelers. After all, he was the last QB to bring the SB in Steel City—and that was over a decade ago! And now, he’s starting to see that spark in Justin Fields.

On the Pat McAfee Show, Big Ben praised Fields, saying, “If this is the guy we’re gonna get, this might be the guy for the future.” It’s a huge compliment coming from someone who’s been in those cleats. Fields, with his dual-threat ability, has shown growth, poise, and confidence in just a few games, and it seems like the Steelers may have found their man under center. But can he keep it up?

Four games in, Fields has taken the reins in Pittsburgh. Especially when all seemed to be amiss after Russell Wilson’s injury. The Steelers’ offense is also evolving. But there’s still room to grow. Roethlisberger is pushing for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to “open things up even more” for Fields. He wants to see Fields sit in the pocket, hit those in-routes, and really make the Steelers’ offense a true aerial threat.

But the real test for the 25-year-old is coming up in week 5. As the Steelers would take on the America’s Team. A prime-time showdown! The Cowboys’ defense isn’t easy to crack. And this could be Justin Fields’ biggest challenge yet. As Ben pointed out, “I think he’s getting more comfortable,” and now it’s about keeping that momentum rolling. Can Fields keep those training wheels off and elevate his game when it matters most? It’d be interesting to see.