The Pittsburgh Steelers did business with undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop Jr. after the 2024 NFL Draft, seeing potential in the young cornerback. As training camp progressed, the Steelers’ excitement for Bishop only grew, especially as he was thrust into action early. Opposing teams didn’t hesitate to target him, and initially, Bishop faced tough outings. However, he persevered, and after a breakout game against the New York Jets, he began to make a real name for himself in the league.
Bishop’s rookie season has been a standout story, with the undrafted corner pulling in three interceptions and proving to be a hidden gem for Pittsburgh’s secondary. His knack for reading plays and quick adjustments has transformed him from a target into a rising playmaker. The Steelers have relied on his unexpected impact as he fills in gaps in the defensive backfield, where his athleticism and resilience have been key to his success.
Having played college football in Morgantown, West Virginia, Bishop’s familiarity with the Pittsburgh area has been an asset as he adjusts to the NFL. His former co-defensive coordinator at West Virginia, ShaDon Brown, even shared that Bishop frequently returns to Morgantown because the university’s facilities offer recovery equipment that he prefers over what the Steelers currently have.
"Beanie Bishop Jr. comes back to WVU on his off days to use the recovery equipment the team has since NFL teams don’t have them," Brown said.
It’s certainly nice to hear that Bishop can return to his college facilities, but the underlying issue is troubling. An NFL team should ideally offer better recovery equipment and training resources than a college program. Brown’s comment highlights just how accurate the 2024 NFLPA Report Card was in assessing the Steelers’ shortcomings. The Steelers received poor grades across the board, with a notable D+ for their training room.
Several Steelers players have voiced their dissatisfaction with the training facilities, citing issues with inadequate staffing and a lack of essential equipment needed for an NFL-level training room.
These concerns underscore a disappointing reality for Pittsburgh's athletes, who expect a professional environment that fully supports their physical needs. Bishop’s experience is a stark example; it didn’t even take him a full season to recognize the limitations of the Steelers’ facilities.
Steelers' Training Room Gets A Wake Up Call From Rookie Beanie Bishop Jr.
In fact, Bishop is so dissatisfied with the setup that he’s willing to drive over an hour back to Morgantown just to get proper recovery treatment. This situation emphasizes the gap between the Steelers’ facilities and the standard expected in the NFL, and it’s a wake-up call that more attention to player welfare is needed.
One complaint highlighted in the report card was that the Steelers' facilities lack a sauna, which players feel is essential for health and recovery. The absence of this basic amenity has frustrated many, underscoring the team's need to modernize its training room. The Steelers have expressed plans to improve their report card scores, and fans will be watching closely to see if these changes are reflected in the next NFLPA report.
For now, the fact that Bishop prefers to return to his college for recovery is further proof of the Steelers' outdated training room. Hopefully the team can make some upgrades and meet the players standards eventually.
