The Pittsburgh Steelers entered their Week 7 home matchup against the New York Jets as underdogs. Many pundits believed that the Jets, bolstered by the addition of star wide receiver Davante Adams and their desperation for a win, would give the Steelers a tough challenge. However, the Steelers defied the odds, delivering a dominant performance on prime time and securing a resounding 37-15 victory.
A key factor in the Steelers' impressive win was the standout play of undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop Jr. The young cornerback made headlines by intercepting Aaron Rodgers twice, nearly returning one of those picks for a touchdown.
His performance not only showcased his skills but also played a crucial role in stifling the Jets' offense and propelling the Steelers to victory. After the game, Bishop was understandably excited and expressed his desire to find Rodgers to sign the two footballs he intercepted.
On Tuesday, Rodgers joined The Pat McAfee Show and was asked about Bishop's request. Without missing a beat, Rodgers enthusiastically agreed to sign the footballs for the young cornerback. This gesture reflects not only Rodgers' respect for Bishop's achievement but also the camaraderie that exists among players in the league, even amid fierce competition.
"Yeah, I can do that," Rodgers said to McAfee about signing the two footballs for Bishop.
Rodgers has thrown seven interceptions in seven games this season. For a quarterback known for his low interception rate, this is a somewhat troubling statistic. However, it’s worth noting that the second interception thrown to Bishop likely should have been caught by Garrett Wilson, so it wasn’t entirely Rodgers' fault.
Nonetheless, asking the quarterback, fresh off another tough loss, to sign the footballs that you intercepted and which significantly impacted the game is a humorous request.
This kind of ask isn't uncommon; many players have approached Tom Brady with similar requests over the years. It’s more of a sign of respect than anything else, and Rodgers understands that. He will undoubtedly find a way to get Bishop the autographs on those intercepted footballs. Bishop mentioned that he wasn't able to track down Rodgers after the game, but he remains hopeful.
"We didn't have a silver Sharpie for me to be able to ask A-Rod to sign it," Bishop told reporters. "But I don't know where he went after the game. It was just so hectic."
This game was crucial not just for the Steelers but also for Bishop. Before facing the Jets, Bishop had become a target in the secondary, raising concerns about his performance in this matchup.
However, he rose to the occasion, not only making two crucial interceptions but also delivering a key tackle for a loss along with several other significant plays.
Steelers' Beanie Bishop Has Much Needed Huge Game On Sunday Night Football
While Bishop still has room for improvement, he has persevered through adversity as an undrafted player stepping into the starting nickelback role. His impactful plays were pivotal in the Steelers' 37-15 victory, and Steeler Nation is hopeful that he can maintain this level of performance until Cam Sutton becomes eligible to return from his suspension.
Sutton was suspended for eight games in the 2024 season, leaving Bishop to fill in during his absence, which had resulted in him being targeted early in the year. This standout performance against the Jets could be just what Bishop needs to boost his confidence and build on this strong outing moving forward.
