Beanie Bishop Jr.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers included cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. among their final roster cuts on Tuesday.
Roster cutdown day usually provides fans some surprises. The Pittsburgh Steelers gave their fans a couple potential surprises with their final roster cuts Tuesday.
The Steelers announced they waived defensive back Beanie Bishop Jr. Although he was an undrafted free agent last year, Bishop started six games as a rookie and had four interceptions.
Also at cornerback, the Steelers terminated vested veterans Chuck Clark and James Pierre.
“The biggest surprise on the list was Clark, who was signed at the onset of training camp and seemed to be safe as Pittsburgh’s fourth safety,” Steelers Depot’s Joe Clark wrote. “As it stands now, the team has just three safeties on the roster in DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, and Miles Killebrew.
“Pierre was also expected to make the roster, as he has special teams value as a gunner.”
Clark was less surprised about Bishop’s cut. Clark pointed to Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin saying “Bishop was fighting for a job ahead of the team’s preseason finale.” Then, Bishop didn’t play in the finale because of an injury.
That seemed to firmly place the cornerback on the roster bubble.
This offseason, the Steelers acquired Jalen Ramsey, who can line up in the slot. Bishop primarily played nickel cornerback last season.
At wide receiver, the Steelers parted ways with veteran Robert Woods. Entering his 13th NFL season, Woods was the most experienced wideout on Pittsburgh’s training camp roster.
However, his age and 2024 decline caused pundits to wonder what Woods would supply to even Pittsburgh’s shallow receiver room.
Steelers’ Beanie Bishop Among Surprise NFL Roster Cuts
Pundits following the Steelers on a daily basis probably weren’t as surprised with Bishop’s cut. But he’s a name fans around the league began to learn last season.
Bishop made a statement in primetime during Week 7 when he intercepted then New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers twice.
“One of the unlikely bright spots amid an up-and-down 2024 for the Steelers, Beanie Bishop Jr. had four interceptions as an undrafted rookie,” CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin and Zachary Pereles wrote. “Now, he’s on his way out of the Steel City. Pittsburgh did add Jalen Ramsey to the cornerback group this offseason, but Bishop losing his spot on the roster certainly counts as a surprise.”
In addition to Clark, Pierre and Bishop, the Steelers also cut defensive back Sebastian Castro on Tuesday. Also at defensive back, the Steelers placed Cory Trice Jr. on injured reserve.
Furthermore, as part of their roster cuts, the Steelers parted with defensive linemen Domenique Davis and DeMarvin Leal along with linebacker Eku Leota.
Steelers Part Ways With WR Robert Woods
With fellow veteran receiver Scotty Miller playing very well in the preseason, the Steelers were probably going to have to keep six receivers for Woods to stay with the team.
That didn’t happen. The Steelers will open 2025 with five wideouts on the 53-man roster.
In addition to Woods, the Steelers released receivers Brandon Johnson and Ke’Shawn Williams on Tuesday.
Woods has put together a better career than just about every receiver in Pittsburgh’s room besides DK Metcalf. But last season, Woods had just 20 catches for 203 yards with zero touchdowns while playing for the Houston Texans.
Besides the receiver cuts, the Steelers parted ways with offensive linemen Dylan Cook and Max Scharping on Tuesday. Pittsburgh also waived running back Trey Sermon.