In the battle: The preseason is a time for young players to make their case for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Nickel back Beanie Bishop did that last year, when the rookie free agent fought and clawed his way into a spot on the 53-man roster.
This year, Bishop is battling again, this time with veteran Jalen Ramsey, who was acquired via a trade with the Dolphins, ahead of him on the depth chart and the addition of veteran Brandin Echols via free agency.
"Where Beanie fits in is, he's really going against some pretty good competition now at the nickel when you throw (Jalen Ramsey) in there and then you throw (Brandin Echols) in there," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "He's really got to fight and work to make some splash, to put himself in the picture.
"He's been working his tail off. Like everybody, when you're not a starter, I think the biggest thing that's got to happen for you is all these preseason games are big because you have an opportunity to distance yourself from some other people in game play. We see you in practice every day, we know what you do in practice, but how do you distance yourself in the game situation? Do you really show up on game day?
"So, these preseason games are going to be big for Beanie in the sense that he's got one left to show us some good stuff. And I'm sure he will. He'll give it his all."
No doubt about it.
Bishop is a player with a chip on his shoulder, never letting go of the fact that 32 teams passed on him through seven rounds of the draft before he signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent last year.
"Obviously I'm going in knowing more than I knew last year," said Bishop. "I have the trust of the coaches as far as knowing the plays, being in the right position and things like that.
"It's still a battle every year to compete. Obviously come in, work every day and still prove myself because obviously you've got to earn the right to be on the team."
Overall Bishop said he is happy with what he has shown in the preseason, but also knows there is work to do.
"Obviously I've got to be a little bit more aggressive in the screen game and things like that," said Bishop. "Getting guys down on the ground is something that I'm good at.
"I can never be satisfied. I always remember I wasn't drafted. It's just one of those things. I was always overlooked, so I'll never forget that.
"Just do what I've been doing. Obviously correcting mistakes, going out there making plays and playing fast."