Steelers' cut Beanie Bishop Jr makes sense as waiver claim candidate for Giants.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers nickel cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. in 2024.
The New York Giants were pushed to claim a 2024 breakout off waivers after he was unexpectedly cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 26. But it would likely mean replacing a bubble candidate who just snuck onto the initial 53-man roster.
Backup nickel cornerback Nic Jones was one of the more surprising Giants players to make the 53-man roster on Tuesday. Big Blue has slot specialist Dru Phillips as their starting nickelback, and Cor’Dale Flott can also play the role if needed.
That’s why it was a bit of a head-scratcher when the Giants dedicated a spot on the 53 to a bubble candidate like Jones, who has had an up-and-down preseason period in 2025.
Shortly after the roster cutdown deadline around the league, Giants Nation Show podcaster and reporter Bobby Skinner called attention to Steelers’ cut Beanie Bishop Jr., who was not expected to become available.
“Starting nickel CB for [the] Steelers last year with 4 INT’s COULD BE DEPTH,” Skinner stressed on X, quoting the Tom Pelissero report of Bishop being waived.
Bishop was also credited with 7 pass breakups, to go along with the 4 interceptions. He started 6 games for Pittsburgh as a rookie and appeared in all 17 before being inexplicably cut this summer.
Why Did the Steelers Cut Potential Giants Waiver Claim Target Beanie Bishop Jr.?
When you see a 25-year-old talent like Bishop available on waivers, the first question you ask yourself is, what am I missing? Why on earth would the Steelers get rid of a standout rookie who was a starting candidate a few months ago?
According to Pro Football Focus, Bishop didn’t have a bad preseason whatsoever, so the cut does not appear to be totally performance-based.
In the two preseason games that the second-year DB appeared in this August, Bishop was given coverage grades of 80.4 and 87.3. He did miss two tackles in the preseason opener, struggling in run defense, but in coverage, Bishop only allowed 8 catches off 14 targets for 48 yards and a passer rating of 64.0 in the two outings combined.
He was also credited with 3 key defensive “stops” and 2 pass breakups.
It’s more likely that the Steelers’ offseason additions ousted Bishop. Over the course of a few months, Pittsburgh acquired Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay and Brandin Echols at the cornerback position, and they already had a star CB on the roster in Joey Porter Jr.
Now, Bishop could have still made the team as a fifth cornerback option, despite that, but the Steelers elected to keep a 2025 seventh-round draft pick (Donte Kent) in his place. Kent has missed the entire preseason with injury, so Pittsburgh must have made this decision based on his potential.
The Steelers chose not to keep six cornerbacks on their initial 53-man roster.
Giants’ Nic Jones Has Been Worse Than Beanie Bishop Jr. This Summer
Giants CB Nic Jones was one of the surprises to make the 53-man roster.
GettyNew York Giants nickelback Nic Jones during the 2025 preseason.
This isn’t meant to disparage Jones, who should be proud that he made the initial 53, but the fact of the matter is that Bishop has been better both this summer and throughout his career.
Jones had a tremendous second preseason outing against the New York Jets, earning a PFF coverage grade of 89.2, but his debut was rough. Jones allowed 6 catches off 6 targets during the preseason opener, and was torched for 82 yards and 1 touchdown (passer rating against of 158.3). He also missed 1 tackle in each of his first two preseason appearances this August.
On the flip side, Jones’ coverage skills showed dramatic improvement in games two and three. He only allowed 2 receptions for 4 yards against the Jets and 1 reception for 4 yards against the New England Patriots.
Jones was also credited with 3 key defensive “stops” and 1 QB hit over the three performances.
Clearly, he did enough to impress the Giants throughout training camp, too, but has he done enough to keep his roster spot when a high-ceiling prospect like Bishop is available on waivers?