Bears are learning what the Steelers already knew about Beanie Bishop

Beanie Bishop Jr. built his Pittsburgh Steelers reputation by taking the football away, and he wasted no time turning his Chicago Bears opportunity into a reminder of that. The 26-year-old intercepted Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel in his preseason debut after joining Chicago on Aug. 9 following a tryout.

Both interceptions came late against the Cleveland Browns’ second- and third-team offense, so the performance requires context. It still offered a reminder of what Pittsburgh gave up when the Steelers released Bishop from their practice squad to make room for Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Bishop’s three-game suspension makes him a complicated player to keep, but Chicago’s depleted secondary gives him a chance. Coby Bryant’s severe knee injury and other absences have opened valuable reps for Bishop to pursue a more permanent role.

Beanie Bishop's turnover history puts the Pittsburgh Steelers' decision back in focus

Four interceptions made Bishop one of Pittsburgh's best rookie stories in 2024. His career totals include 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, seven passes defended, one fumble recovery, and one quarterback hit. Every figure remains a career high, and his October production earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors.

Two of those picks came against future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers during a Week 7 win over the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football. Bishop followed that performance with a game-sealing interception against the New York Giants on Monday night.

The New Orleans Saints signed Bishop to their practice squad on Dec. 2 after his release by the Steelers, keeping him in the league’s developmental pipeline. Chicago later added him after injuries forced the Bears to search for secondary help, giving the former UDFA another chance to reclaim the slot role he handled in Pittsburgh.

Two more interceptions certainly don't guarantee Bishop a job, especially when they come in the fourth quarter of exhibition play. They do reinforce the ball production that made him useful as an undrafted slot corner in Pittsburgh. A reserve defensive back’s path to a roster spot runs through turnovers and special teams, not a flawless track record.

Chicago's decision gets complicated by the suspension. Keeping Bishop means carrying a late addition who won't be available until Week 4, while cutting him risks losing a corner whose best NFL season produced four picks.

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