Steelers A to Z: Beanie Bishop wants to re-establish himself as starting slot corner

Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2025 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 12 and July 23. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

CB BEANIE BISHOP

Experience/age: Second season, 25 years old

Contract status: $968,333 cap hit, signed through 2026

The past: Bishop went from being an undrafted free agent to the starter at slot cornerback to open the season. Part of the reason was the Steelers were without Cameron Sutton for the first half of the season because of suspension. But Bishop played well enough in offseason workouts and training camp of his rookie season to show he deserved a shot in the lineup.

Bishop’s best game came in prime time when he interception future Hall of Fame quarterback — and 2025 teammate — Aaron Rodgers twice in a 37-15 victory against the New York Jets in October. But when Sutton returned, Bishop found himself primarily on the bench. He played more than half of the defensive snaps just once in the final eight games, and he played just six snaps total over the final two weeks. He also played one snap on defense in the Steelers’ playoff loss at Baltimore.

2025 outlook: The Steelers made no attempt to re-sign Sutton in free agency, deciding to bring in Brandin Echols from the Jets to provide competition for Bishop at slot corner. Still, Bishop will be given a chance to regain his job in training camp. He said in OTAs that his understanding of the defense is more advanced than a year ago at this stage of his career.