Stewart got his chance to start at quarterback in 1997. Prior to that, with Mike Tomczak as the starting quarterback, he played wide receiver. In his first season as a starting quarterback in the NFL, he led the Steelers to an 11–5 record and the AFC Championship Game which they lost to the Denver Broncos. Stewart threw three interceptions (two of which were made in the opposing Denver end zone), and lost a fumble accounting for all four Steeler turnovers in a 24–21 loss.