The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up to play their final preseason game in 2024, which will also be the best chance for many of their bubble players to prove to the team that they should be on the initial 53-man roster. There are still plenty of positions up for grabs, including slot cornerback. Due to constant injuries, the battle between Beanie Bishop Jr. and Thomas Graham Jr. is wide open. However, if things go wrong in the finale, the Steelers could be looking elsewhere to find a new challenger for the position.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Beanie Bishop Jr. during OTAs ahead of the 2024 season.
While making an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, insider Mark Kaboly was asked about which players needed to have a great game to end the preseason. He brought up a couple of names, including the guy that was projected to run away with the slot cornerback position.
"I would probably say, in the order of maybe a starting position, it would have to be Beanie Bishop. I mean, he has that laid out in front of him right now as that slot position, and if he fails -- which, you know he hasn't practiced fully in a couple of weeks now, or at least a week or 10 days right now, puts him in a tough situation -- if he fails, [the Steelers] will go out and look for someone on the cutdown day."
Bishop has not had as smooth of a preseason as he had hoped. He got benched after the first game in favor of Grayland Arnold, but Arnold ended up going on the season-ending Injured Reserve List. With the top spot back, Bishop then suffered an injury that caused him to miss the next preseason game. It has been announced that he will play in the final game against the Detroit Lions, but will it be enough?
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Beanie Bishop Jr. makes a tackle during his preseason debut against the Houston Texans.
Kaboly didn't sound too confident that Graham could win the job either. He talked about how Bishop had to have a good game or else the Steelers would go fishing for a slot corner in free agency or the waiver wire. Graham is still in the competition as well, and after playing well overall in the preseason Week 2 game, he could still fight for the starting role and the roster spot. Will he be able to force his way onto the Week 1 roster though?
Who Could The Steelers Bring In At Slot Corner?
The Steelers do have some options ready to go if needed. Jalen Mills was recently released by the New York Giants, so the Steelers may look into him and give him a call if needed. He has played in every defensive back spot over his career, which helps his case for going to Pittsburgh. In 2023 with the New England Patriots, Mills was only targeted 30 times throughout the season, giving up only 18 completions and just one touchdown. If the spot is available, Mills wouldn't be the worst choice for the Steelers.
Mark J. Terrill / AP
Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson (20) runs back with an intercepted pass against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Las Vegas.
The Steelers could also call up an old friend and bring back Patrick Peterson. He struggled on the outside during his time in Pittsburgh, but he was very effective in that slot / safety role once Joey Porter Jr. took his spot officially. He knows how the defense works, and he had been previously praised as a mentor for the young guys. There wouldn't be any harm in bringing him back on a cheap one-year deal.
Neither of those guys may even be an option if either Bishop or Graham can ball out in the team's final preseason game and prove that they belong on this roster. There is still time for the Steelers to figure out exactly what they have at the position, but time is running short. It's put up or shut up time for all parties involved.
What do you think about Kaboly talking about how Bishop needs to have a great game to close out the preseason? Let us know in the comments.
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