Monday’s “First Call” checks in on a pair of former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks trying to find traction with their new teams. George Pickens shines in Dallas. The Packers scored a victory before coming to Pittsburgh next week.
And a blowout win for Duquesne yields conference recognition.
Failing with Fields
Ex-Steelers quarterback Justin Fields has been benched in New York. The Jets decided to replace their free agent starting quarterback with Tyrod Taylor on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
Trailing 13-3 in the third quarter, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn pulled Fields in favor of Taylor. At the time, Fields was 6 of 12 for 46 yards.
“I understand the nature of the quarterback change and, listen, we needed a spark,” Glenn said via the Associated Press. “At that time, I felt it was the right time to do it. It was my call.”
Last week, Fields was just 9 of 17 for 45 yards in the Jets’ 13-11 loss to Denver. The team had a franchise-worst minus-10 net yards passing.
Taylor finished the afternoon 10 of 22 for 126 yards with two interceptions and three sacks. Fields had 22 yards rushing. Taylor had 11.
Carolina won 13-6. Glenn was unclear when it came to who would start next Sunday when the Jets visit Cincinnati.
“We’ll make the right decision,” Glenn said. “Whatever the decision is, I’m going to go with it, and we’re going to move forward.”
The Jets’ loss dropped them to 0-7. The Panthers are 4-3.
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Pickett plays
While Fields was getting benched, another former Steelers quarterback came off the sidelines in mop-up duty Sunday.
Kenny Pickett got into the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game in Kansas City for the Las Vegas Raiders. His team was down 31-0 at the time. Pickett proceeded to fumble the first snap he took.
Jerry Tillery recovered it for the Chiefs.
TILLERY TOOK IT‼️ pic.twitter.com/zzMZISItQs
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 19, 2025
Pickett ended up 2 of 2 for 8 yards. The Chiefs won by that 31-0 score. They improved to 4-3. The Raiders dropped to 2-5.
West Virginia’s Geno Smith was just 10 of 16 for 67 yards before being replaced by Pickett. The Raiders were 0 for 7 on third downs and totaled only 95 yards. They ran just 30 plays. The Chiefs ran 77.
Pickens performs
Meanwhile, George Pickens stood out for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The former Steelers WR made two sparkling catches as his team topped Washington, 44-22.
regularly scheduled george pickens post ????️
????: #WASvsDAL on FOX
????: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/RmDxAeCG4M pic.twitter.com/kywd1V3hDc— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 19, 2025
4️⃣4️⃣ YARDS TO GEORGE ????
????: #WASvsDAL on FOX
????: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/RmDxAeCG4M pic.twitter.com/g4bhWzBw7u— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 19, 2025
Pickens walked away with four catches and 82 yards on the day. With 607 receiving yards, Pickens is fourth in the NFL.
It was Cee Dee Lamb who had the biggest day for Dallas, though. He had 110 yards and a touchdown on five catches. It was his first game since Sept. 21. Lamb had been out with an ankle injury. Also, tight end Jake Ferguson caught seven passes, two for scores.
The Cowboys improved to 3-3-1. The Commanders fell to 3-4.
Green Bay is good enough
The Steelers’ next opponent is Green Bay. The Packers are coming to Acrisure Stadium on Sunday night off a win. They beat the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23, on Sunday.
It wasn’t easy. With backup QB Jacoby Brissett at the helm, the Cards led 13-3 late in the first half, and 23-20 in the fourth quarter.
But a Josh Jacobs touchdown put Green Bay in front to stay with just under two minutes remaining in the game.
JOSH JACOBS FOR THE GO-AHEAD SIX!
????: FOX pic.twitter.com/wcn78J0ut1
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 19, 2025
That was Jacobs’ second touchdown of the day. The Pack improved to 4-1-1 on the year. Arizona fell to 2-5.
The Packers have not won in Pittsburgh since 1970. They’ve lost six in a row here, most recently a 23-19 defeat in 2023.
Dukes getting it done
The Duquesne football team (5-3) won its fourth game in a row Saturday and improved to 3-0 in Northeast Conference play. The Dukes blanked Mercyhurst on the road 37-0.
Duquesne out-rushed the Lakers, 360-12. That’s part of the reason why running back Ness Davis and linebacker Avery Morris were two of the NEC’s five stars of the week.
???? The ???? stars from WEEK 8 ✨
⭐️ Ness Davis, @DuqFB
⭐️ Avery Morris, @DuqFB
⭐️ O’Shawn Ross, @LIUSharksFB
⭐️ Brady Olson, @ccsu_fb
⭐️ Ethan Shine, @RMU_Football #NECFB pic.twitter.com/d3W9iFtGNp— NEC Football (@NECFootball) October 19, 2025
Davis rushed for 158 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown run. Morris was responsible for a fumble return touchdown shortly before halftime.
Another #NECFB scoop & score, brought to you by Avery Morris. ????@DuqFB tacks on to its lead in a battle of the unbeatens. pic.twitter.com/RQmMu3cy18
— NEC Football (@NECFootball) October 18, 2025
NESS DAVIS 59 YARDS TO THE HOUSE ???? pic.twitter.com/TmFbuNyChu
— Duquesne Football (@DuqFB) October 18, 2025
The Dukes play 1-6 Wagner on the road Saturday.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
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