West Virginia coaches not surprised Bishop is impressing with Steelers

While some might be surprised by Beanie Bishop’s performance at Steelers training camp, his former coaches at West Virginia fully expected it. 

WVU head coach Neal Brown even took a moment away from focusing on his current team to say “he’s zero surprised” by Bishop earning first-team reps with the Steelers. “I’m zero surprised with Beanie. He’s a football player. He may not check off all the boxes but he’s a football player,” said Brown about Bishop on Aug. 1. 

Brown also said he wasn’t able to visit Steelers camp this year like he normally does, but he reached out to offer advice to both Bishop and Zach Frazier, telling them to never give anyone in the NFL a reason to say no. 

Bishop’s position coach from his lone season as a Mountaineer had some strong words of his own in support of his former player. 

On Monday, West Virginia co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach ShaDon Brown said Bishop fits Mike Tomlin perfectly. He also added that “it’s a shame the Steelers didn’t draft him (Bishop), but they will have to pay him eventually” about Bishop having to earn a spot as an undrafted free agent. 

Bishop’s coaches at WVU have seen him prove doubters wrong firsthand. After failing to make a name for himself during the 2022 season at Minnesota, Bishop transferred to West Virginia to close out his eligibility in the Big 12. Bishop recorded 54 total tackles and picked off four passes, earning consensus All-American honors. 

Bishop’s difficult road to success in college is why he’s not going to let not being drafted derail his NFL journey. 

“It’s one of those things that helps me every day whenever I think about getting comfortable,” expressed Bishop in May. 

Bishop has carried a chip on his shoulder going back to when he was an undersized kid. That chip then intensified when he had to start his college career at a Group of 5 program in Western Kentucky.

While appearing as a guest on the “Mike Drop with Mike Asti” podcast, Steelers great Bryant McFadden offered some advice for Bishop in his pursuit of acquiring playing time with the Steelers.

“You have to provide an element of trust as a young guy. If they don’t trust that you know what you’re supposed to do, you’re not going to be out there to try to do it. With that being said, he has to learn the playbook,” said McFadden.

No matter what happens from now and the start of the NFL season, it’s safe to say betting against Bishop is never wise.