Slide 1
Monday’s “First Call” quells speculation about a quarterback trade for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Several former Steelers are on the move. Aaron Donald is still in the decision-making process about his comeback.
And even the New York Mets were laughing at the expense of the Pirates.
Dobbs to Detroit
Some speculation bubbled up over the weekend that Detroit may be a trade destination for Mason Rudolph or Will Howard since Teddy Bridgewater is being moved to the reserved/retired list.
Instead, though, the Lions are signing a former Steelers backup. Per the NFL Network, it’s Josh Dobbs.
The #Lions are signing veteran Josh Dobbs to a one-year, $1.425 million deal with $475k fully guaranteed, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
It’s a significant commitment to Dobbs as the No. 2 quarterback after Teddy Bridgewater’s retirement. pic.twitter.com/UjQ8lUBXB4
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 9, 2026
Dobbs was with the Lions for a brief time in 2022. He was a Steeler from 2017-19 and again from 2020-21. He is now 31 years old. He was drafted in the fourth round in 2017.
The Tennessee Volunteer alum was with the New England Patriots last year, backing up Drake Maye. He appeared in four games and was 7-10 for 65 yards.
Beanie Bounces to Bears
Dobbs isn’t the only ex-Steeler on the move. Beanie Bishop and Jeremiah Moon have new homes too.
Bishop is going to Chicago. The West Virginia product was with the Steelers from 2024 through most of 2025. He was released in November of last year and picked up on Dec. 2 by New Orleans.
Because of a suspension for violations of the league’s substance abuse policy, Bishop must miss the first three games of 2026, but he can practice with the team. Chicago is dealing with numerous injuries in the secondary in training camp.
As for Moon, he is heading back to Carolina. This is his second tour of duty with the Panthers. He went there in 2025 after the Steelers waived him with an injury settlement. Moon played in one game.
The Steelers signed him back from the Panthers’ practice squad briefly in December, but now he has returned to Charlotte. The OLB has registered 23 tackles in 24 NFL games.
Under the big top
After dropping two of three to the last-place New York Mets, the Pirates are now 58-62. They are just a half game out of last place themselves in the National League Central. They are 5½ games out of a wild card spot with five teams to pass.
The low point of Sunday’s 11-1 loss may have been pitcher Camilo Doval throwing the ball into right field on a pick-off move, down nine runs in the sixth inning.
Doval tried to choke back the throw out of instinct when he realized Rafael Flores Jr. wasn’t holding the runner on first base.
The Mets play-by-play team summed up the comical nature of the play.
"Cue up the circus music, please"
Camilo Doval with an ugly balk pic.twitter.com/J7VHDfnfXx
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) August 9, 2026
It wasn’t exactly Dennis Eckersley calling the Pirates a “hodgepodge of nothingness.” But it was entertaining nonetheless.
In the end, the play was actually ruled an error. The Pirates went 5-12 in their run of 17 games in 17 days. They have a day off Monday before facing Miami on Tuesday.
Decision delayed
One Pitt Panther legend was inducted into the Hall of Fame this past weekend. Meanwhile, another is taking his time deciding if he wants to make a comeback.
Larry Fitzgerald got inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Aaron Donald will be there with him sometime soon. However, that enshrinement may be delayed a bit if Donald comes back to play with the Los Angeles Rams this year.
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has been considering a comeback since the Rams made a trade for fellow defensive lineman Myles Garrett. However, the eight-time All-Pro hasn’t made a formal announcement yet.
One was early this week. However, [according to ProFootballTalk.com](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/aaron-donald-decision-could-be-made-in-the-coming-days expected), any decision from Donald may be pushed back toward the weekend.
PFT is reporting that the plan is still to ramp up Donald so that he could play 30-40 snaps in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. The Penn Hills alum has been retired for two years.