Ex-Steelers QB Kenny Pickett Faces Big Adversity In Raiders Debut
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett hoping that he could be the face of the franchise. At first, things started off reasonably well, as Pickett showed the promise of a young quarterback steadily improving. He frequently delivered in high-pressure situations, helping guide Pittsburgh on game-winning drives and earning the trust of coaches and teammates. Fans were optimistic that he could develop into a cornerstone of the Steelers’ offense.
However, after just two seasons, Pickett decided he wanted a fresh start, and the Steelers traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles. His time in Pittsburgh had been a mix of encouraging moments and growing pains, but the move marked the end of his tenure with the team that had drafted him. While he had flashes of brilliance, the fit ultimately wasn’t what either Pickett or the Steelers had hoped for in the long term.
Pickett is now with the Las Vegas Raiders, and on Sunday, late in the regular season game, he made his debut with his new team. The performance gave fans a first look at him in a Raiders uniform. However, it couldn't have started much worse for Pickett. He fumbled the snap right away, giving the football back to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Pickett gave the ball away right when he got in the game, causing him to miss out on a potential drive. The Raiders’ starting quarterback, Geno Smith, signed a massive deal with the team in the 2025 offseason. However, he has struggled significantly to start the season. On Sunday, Smith played so poorly that the Raiders fell behind badly, prompting the team to put Pickett into the game.
When Pickett entered, he completed both of his passes for a total of eight yards. With the game already out of hand, he did not have much of a chance to show what he could do. Still, his brief appearance has sparked conversation about what the Raiders might do at quarterback moving forward.
It does not appear that Smith will be benched, despite his struggles, but his poor play has put Pickett’s name back into the discussion. Fans and analysts may start to wonder if he could get a larger opportunity as the season continues. It will be interesting to see how the Raiders handle their quarterback situation in the coming weeks.
With so much money committed to Smith and Pete Carroll’s strong faith in him, it is hard to believe he will be benched. However, anything is possible when you are playing as poorly as he has.
Steelers' Former First-Round Pick In Kenny Pickett Fumbles In Raiders Debut
Any time a player gets an opportunity to enter a game as a backup, it is never ideal to start with a turnover. That could not have been easy for Pickett, but it was adversity he had to face and overcome.
The fumble will not help his case as he tries to challenge a struggling veteran quarterback in Smith, but it is a moment that tests a player’s resilience and poise under pressure. Pickett surely would have wished his first drive had gone much differently, but with Smith struggling, he now has a chance to earn more opportunities moving forward.
Pickett will be working extra hard in practice as he tries to take advantage of any opportunity moving forward. Steelers fans will continue to follow along his journey.
Packers secure gritty away win behind Lukas Havrisik’s historic 61-yard rocket
The Green Bay Packers have dominated at Lambeau Field this season, winning all three of their home games, but they’re still chasing their first road victory as they face the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Kicker Lucas Havrisik provided a highlight moment Sunday, drilling a franchise-record 61-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
With one second remaining in the first half, Havrisik blasted a 61-yard field goal, setting a new franchise record for distance. It marked the Packers’ first-ever make from 60 yards or beyond, eclipsing Mason Crosby’s previous record of 58 yards that had stood since 2011.
Havrisik’s long field goal at the end of the half narrowed the gap to 13-6 heading into the break.
The first-place Packers seemed to have a straightforward task against a Cardinals squad that had dropped four straight games. Yet those losses were decided by just nine points, and the Cardinals came out sharp, showing energy on both sides of the ball.
Lukas Havrisik and the Packers win on the road
The Packers offense came alive after halftime, pulling even at 20-20 early in the fourth quarter when Jordan Love connected with tight end Tucker Kraft for a 7-yard touchdown. The Packers then grabbed a 27-23 advantage late in the game on Josh Jacobs’ 1-yard run into the end zone.
Along with his historic kick, Havrisik also converted a 31-yard field goal. He has taken over kicking duties while Brandon McManus remains sidelined with a right quad injury. Havrisik was perfect on two field goal attempts in Green Bay’s Week 6 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, carrying that momentum into his record-breaking outing against Arizona.
The Packers let a late lead slip away in a 13-10 defeat to the Cleveland Browns and also ended up in a 40-40 stalemate with the Dallas Cowboys. This time, though, their hard-fought road win over the Cardinals likely provided some much-needed momentum and satisfaction.
Green Bay will stay on the road in Week 8 for a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Former Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers will surely be eager to show his former team that he remains a capable and driven leader.
