Rookie Beanie Bishop keeps smiling even with anticipated return of Cam Sutton to Steelers secondary

With an assist from Pat McAfee, rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop’s wish for Aaron Rodgers’ signature on a pair of game balls is coming true.

After intercepting Rodgers twice Sunday night in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 37-15 victory against the New York Jets, Bishop kept the balls so he could commemorate his first two career picks. At his postgame news conference, Bishop said he was hoping Rodgers would find a way to sign the mementos.

That’s where McAfee intervened. On Rodgers’ weekly appearance on McAfee’s ESPN show, the Plum graduate played the role of intermediary. Rodgers agreed to put pen to leather.

“That’s a fellow Mountaineer looking out for me,” Bishop said, laughing.

Bishop said the Steelers shipped the balls this week to the Jets equipment staff, and he expected to have them returned with Rodgers’ signature in a few days.

“I obviously have a lot of respect for him,” Bishop said of Rodgers. “He’s going to be in the Hall of Fame one day. To be able to get my first interceptions off him … he’s being a good sport by signing them.”

Bishop’s other wish, however, was not granted Wednesday. He was a candidate to be named AFC Defensive Player of the Week only to be bypassed in favor of Denver Broncos linebacker Cody Barton, who had eight tackles, one pass breakup, one forced fumble and a 52-yard fumble return for a touchdown in a win against New Orleans.

Bishop nearly returned his second interception for a touchdown, but he was tackled a yard short of the end zone. Bishop sighed and let out a whistle when he learned Barton had gotten the honor.

His contributions, though, weren’t overlooked in the Steelers locker room.

“It means a lot for him, means a lot for this defense,” veteran cornerback Donte Jackson said. “He’s been a great rookie. He’s asking questions, he’s coming in early and staying late. He’s never thinking he’s too big for any job, whether it’s special teams, whatever. He’s a sponge of knowledge. When you see it translate to the football field, and he makes those plays we always talk about, it’s exciting to see.”

It was only two weeks earlier that Bishop arguably was at the low point of his rookie season. In the Steelers’ 20-17 loss to Dallas, he was targeted eight times and allowed six catches for 90 yards, including 41 after the catch. It represented the most yards allowed overall — and after the catch — by Bishop.

He rebounded by limiting receivers to three catches for 14 yards against Las Vegas and then held Jets receivers to four catches for 35 yards to go along with the interceptions that set up a pair of touchdowns.

Bishop credits the extra film study he has put in with coach Mike Tomlin.

“People know I watch film with coach Tomlin on Friday mornings before meetings,” Bishop said. “But early in the week when I get here, he’s seen me and we watch this or that. I see what he’s looking at, and he’s giving me tips.”

The sessions intensified after the Dallas loss.

“He planted a bug in my ear,” Bishop said. “I came in Tuesday to get my workout in. He said, ‘You got a minute?’ We went up to his office. Last week, I asked him if he had a minute.”

Bishop picked a good time to make an impact on defense. Cameron Sutton’s eight-game suspension ends after the Steelers face the New York Giants on Monday night. The eighth-year veteran is expected to resume the slot corner role he was signed to play when the Steelers brought him back to the organization following a one-year hiatus.

Bishop’s role on the defense may change once Sutton is back. His preparation will not, and he said he welcomes Sutton’s return.

“Cam has been helping me learn,” Bishop said. “To see the stuff he is seeing and trying to take a veteran approach to it. He’s seeing things I probably won’t because he’s been in the league for seven years. He’s helping me slow the game down. Ultimately, we win as a team, so I’m glad he’s been helping me.”

Sutton has been allowed to attend team meetings in recent weeks.

Jackson said Sutton’s return will be a bonus for a defense that already ranks second in the NFL in points allowed and is eighth in yards. And, thanks to Bishop, the Steelers have nine interceptions, which are tied for third in the league.

“It’s always a luxury to add a great player to a defense that plays together,” he said. “Cam is a great guy, a veteran presence. Getting him back in the building for the past two weeks has been good for the room. He’s in the meetings, he’s still coaching and making sure everybody knows what they are doing. He’s been studying film, so just to get him back in the room has been great for us.”