Steelers Preseason Film Room - Bishop Showcases Versatility vs. The Jaguars

Despite a promising rookie campaign, defensive back Beanie Bishop entered this year’s training camp facing steep competition, thanks to several new additions in the Steelers’ secondary during the offseason.

In Saturday’s preseason victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bishop capitalized on every opportunity and emerged as arguably the team’s most productive player. In this film study, we’ll break down the key ways he made an impact during his time on the field.

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Recognition And Recovery

One of Bishop’s most notable attributes is his elite closing speed. At the 2024 Big 12 Pro Day, he recorded the fastest 40-yard dash of all participants, clocking in at 4.39 seconds. The following sequence illustrates how he leverages that speed effectively.

Bishop lines up in the slot in press coverage. At the snap, the Jaguars’ receiver on the opposite side executes a down block. Recognizing the defender’s intent to buy his teammate the necessary separation, Bishop disengages immediately and trails his receiver on a wheel route.

Initially, it appears that the receiver (Parker Washington) has gained the advantage, but Bishop recovers swiftly and breaks up what should have been an easy first-down reception.

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Timely Plays

Though he has a smaller frame, Bishop plays with the tenacity and discipline of a much larger defender, never hesitating to engage and bring ball-carriers down.

On this third-down look, he’s in off-man coverage. At the snap, he stays patient in his zone, doesn’t bite on the shallow cross from the Jaguars’ tight end, and immediately recognizes the dig developing over the middle. Before the receiver (Travis Hunter) complete his reception, Bishop explodes downhill, wraps him up cleanly, and halts the play well short of the sticks.

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Preseason or not, Bishop showed off the kind of defensive versatility that makes him a serious contender for the starting slot cornerback spot. With tough competition ahead, displays like this could be exactly what he needs to turn heads and earn that role at some point in the near future.