PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Steelers used undrafted rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop as their slot man in their three-cornerback Nickel package for most of the 2024 season, but the former West Virginia Mountaineer’s playing time dwindled down the stretch in favor of veteran Cam Sutton.
On Sunday at the NFL owner’s meeting, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin put out a challenge for Bishop to re-earn his starting spot.
“I thought he [Beanie Bishop] made some plays, particularly as you look at cut ups. It was a good start for him, particularly being an undrafted guy the way that he was. It’s reasonable to expect him to continue to grow and take off and be able to do some more things,” Tomlin said. “Excited about the upside of him, but certainly he’s going to be faced with some competitive challenges in terms of re-earning that role in 2025, but that’s just the nature of this thing.”
Bishop’s highlight of his rookie campaign came in the Steelers’ Week 7 win over the New York Jets, when he recorded two interceptions off Aaron Rodgers, returning one of them all the way to the 1-yard line and setting up a Pittsburgh touchdown. Bishop’s other INT also set up a Steelers’ touchdown.
Newly acquired Steelers slot cornerback Brandin Echols will be Bishop’s main competition. Echols recorded five interceptions, 16 passes defended and two pick-sixes during his four-year tenure with the Jets.
“Man, I love the spirit in which he [Brandin Echols] plays,” Tomlin said. “I like his physical talent. He’s a speed guy. He’s distinguished himself as a defender at outside and inside corner and as a capable special teamer, and so we’re excited about acquiring a guy with that type of resume.”
Along with Echols, the Steelers have also agreed to terms with All-Pro cornerback Darius Slay. Slay provides a much-needed upgrade in the Steelers secondary, as outside cornerback Donte Jackson and slot cornerback Cam Sutton struggled immensely down the stretch last season.
We’ve competed against him [Darius Slay] a lot over the years. He’s a savvy veteran,” Tomlin said. “He knows what he’s doing. He’s got a really high competitive floor, and all of those are things that are attractive to us as we try to build a rock-solid defense and team this year.”
