Pittsburgh Steelers CB Beanie Bishop was not solely capable of crack Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent in 2024, however he grew to become an impression participant, beginning six video games and intercepting 4 passes as a rookie. Getting into Yr 2, Bishop has the within observe to be Pittsburgh’s beginning slot nook, and he stated he targeted rather a lot on communication this offseason in an effort to play quicker in 2025.
“All of it goes into preparation. This offseason, I used to be capable of, I discovered the protection clearly my first 12 months, however having the ability to take these subsequent steps in communication and understanding what we’re going to earlier than having the security inform me what now we have to run and what we’re taking part in on my aspect and issues like that. So simply having the ability to try this, it’ll assist me play quicker and perceive,” Bishop stated through video by Publish-Gazette Sports activities on YouTube.
Bishop stated he additionally frolicked watching nickel corners across the league, together with Mike Hilton, Taron Johnson and Kenny Moore to check what they do and add to his sport.
Down the stretch, communication was the secondary’s greatest weak point, and it’s an space the place the complete defensive backfield wants to indicate enchancment. For Bishop, it’s slightly extra of a studying curve as a rookie, and he’s trying to get rid of any conditions the place his communication was lackluster and the place he might have wanted further assist from a teammate.
Realizing what he’s purported to do with out considering an excessive amount of about it ought to assist him play extra free and free, which in flip will assist him play quicker and extra pure. Bishop additionally stated he misplaced physique fats this offseason and regarded so as to add muscle, and doubtlessly being slightly lighter may enhance his velocity and assist him run with a number of the speedy slot receivers within the NFL.
Communication is a key for Pittsburgh’s protection this season, and Minkah Fitzpatrick actually put an emphasis on it as an space the group must work on. Even when that’s the one space of Bishop’s sport that improves, it’ll be large for his possibilities of beginning and it’ll doubtless result in enchancment. Getting extra snug within the protection and extra acquainted with what he’s doing ought to be a pure assist however actually focusing and honing in on communication goes to learn him if he’s capable of present actual enchancment in that space this season.
