Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Ex-Steelers Cornerback Gives Advice to Beanie Bishop

Originally posted on Steelers Now | By Chris Ward | Last updated 5/21/24

The slot cornerback position is one of the biggest question marks for the Pittsburgh Steelers heading into training camp. They have a few options in veteran Anthony Averett and undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop, but there isn’t a clear-cut answer. Donte Jackson might be able to kick inside if Cory Trice Jr. and Darius Rush step up, however.

Bishop is a name to watch for at OTAs and training camp. He might turn some heads. According to Chad Reuter of NFL Network, Bishop is considered the best cornerback among this year’s undrafted free agents.

Bishop also has some swagger. He believes he can be a Day 1 starter in the slot.

“That’s a spot that I can play in and that’s a need for the team,” Bishop said, via Alan Saunders of Steelers Now. “Coming out of high school, I wasn’t a highly recruited guy. I only had one FBS offer. I’m kind of taking the same approach of being a smaller guy or a guy that was overlooked and always playing with a chip on my shoulder.”

Steelers general manager Omar Khan also spoke glowingly of Bishop.

“I can’t tell you how excited we were to have an opportunity to sign Beanie Bishop after the draft,” Khan said during an interview with the DVE Morning Show earlier this month. “We had him here for a visit. When he was here, we talked about our defense and how he would fit in. We really felt like he was a guy that could come in here and compete.”

Mastering the playbook should be Bishop’s top priority, according to former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden.

“You have to provide an element of trust as a young guy. If they don’t trust that you know what you’re supposed to do, you’re not going to be out there to try to do it. With that being said, he has to learn the playbook,” McFadden said in an interview with Mike Asti of West Virginia Sports Now on Mike Drop.

McFadden added that a slot cornerback has to be be quick and decisive in their decision making. Knowing the minutiae of the playbook will give Bishop the upper hand.

“If you know what to do, you feel more comfortable. You’re not second-guessing yourself,” he said.

This article first appeared on Steelers Now and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: