The Pittsburgh Steelers aim to improve their pass defense in 2025 after a rough year against opposing quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends. They allowed the eighth-most completions and the eighth-most passing yards but allowed the ninth-fewest passing touchdowns in 2024. The Steelers have both outside cornerback positions locked in, with one vacancy remaining in the slot.
Pittsburgh Steelers UDFA had a solid rookie year
Beanie Bishop Jr. had a solid rookie season, finishing second on the team in interceptions and third in pass deflections. He recorded 45 tackles, two TFLs, four interceptions, and seven pass deflections and allowed a 57.1% completion percentage, 388 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an impressive 59.5 passer rating in 17 games and six starts. Unfortunately, the Steelers benched Trice in favor of Cameron Sutton late in the year.
Now that Sutton is no longer on the roster, the former undrafted free agent looks to regain his old spot.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ ascender in line to start at key position in 2025
So far, Beanie Bishop Jr. has received first-team reps with the starting defense throughout the spring, including mandatory minicamp. According to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, he has taken the early lead and is the front-runner in the slot despite the Steelers adding two players in the offseason. The front office signed former New York Jets Brandin Echols and drafted Central Michigan Chippewas standout Donte Kent in the seventh round.
“For the 5-9, 182-pound nickel, adding footballs to his collection starts with solidifying his spot as the starter in a position battle with no shortage of candidates,” DeFabo said.
“While the offseason additions of former Jet Brandin Echols and seventh-round draft pick Donte Kent have complicated the nickel conversation, Bishop took a strong step forward through OTAs and minicamp. He confirmed he played extensively with the first-team defense. However, Bishop knows from last year that just because a player begins the year as the starter, it doesn’t guarantee he’ll finish the season the same way.”
He has a chip on his shoulder
“At the end of the day, they still don’t have a lot of money invested in me,” Bishop said. “They obviously drafted a guy (Kent) this year. Brought in (Echols). So I’m never just comfortable and like, ‘Oh yeah, this is my spot.’ No, I’d never think like that. I always got to have the chip on my shoulder because I still don’t forget where I come from.”
