The Pittsburgh Steelers were excited to do business with undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop Jr. after the 2024 NFL Draft. Bishop, a standout at West Virginia University, had high hopes of being selected but ultimately went undrafted. During his interview process with the Steelers, he even jokingly admitted to embellishing his story to make himself look better, but his confidence and drive won over Pittsburgh’s front office. They were thrilled to sign him, not knowing the rollercoaster that was ahead.
Initially, Bishop’s transition to the NFL was a tough one. Thrust into a starting role at nickelback, he found himself targeted by opposing quarterbacks early on, and it was a struggle. His performance in the first few games left much to be desired, and it seemed like the pressure might overwhelm him. The challenges were clear as he battled to adapt to the speed and intensity of the NFL game.
However, everything changed during a pivotal two-interception game against the New York Jets. Bishop’s standout performance in that game helped flip the script on his rookie season. He joined teammate Christian Kuntz on The Christian Kuntz Podcast, where he shared how that game was a turning point. Bishop explained how it not only boosted his confidence but also sent a strong message to quarterbacks around the league: he was ready to compete at the highest level.
"When you have those type of games, it's like you kind of put the league on notice a little bit," Bishop said. "Because being a rookie, quarterbacks are going to keep targeting you, they're gonna keep throwing at you. Kinda made 'em gun-shy a little bit. Like we're not gonna keep throwing, we not gonna keep throwing at this guy just because he's like a ball hawk."
Bishop intercepted Aaron Rodgers twice in a standout performance that helped the Steelers secure a 37-15 victory over the Jets. It was a remarkable achievement, and he followed it up with another interception in the next game against the New York Giants.
For Bishop, those three interceptions marked a pivotal turning point in his rookie season, shifting the narrative around him. After struggling early on, he needed a spark, and those key plays provided just the momentum he needed.
Steelers' Beanie Bishop Jr. Was Thrown Into A Brutal Spot
Bishop is an exciting young player with a bright future in the league, but he’s not yet ready to be a full-time starter. While his potential is clear, the role he’s been thrust into as a rookie is perhaps a bit too much for him at this stage. Despite his impressive takeaways, there have been moments where he’s shown he’s still adjusting, occasionally making him one of the weaker links in the defense. This isn’t unusual for a rookie, especially one thrown into a prominent role so early in his career.
Bishop has had an exciting start to his career, but there’s still plenty of work ahead. The Steelers’ secondary has shown improvement in 2024, but it’s not yet where it needs to be. Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson have both had some struggles, and while the return of Cam Sutton from suspension has been a boost, he’s still working to make his full impact felt. This Steelers defense is expected to be great, but they’ll need more from their secondary to reach that level.
Bishop, however, is no longer lacking confidence. After his game-changing interceptions, he’s proven he can rise to the occasion. As the Steelers face the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson this Saturday, Bishop will look to add another interception and continue to show his growth as a key player in Pittsburgh’s defensive backfield.
