The New Orleans Saints might’ve just made one of those under-the-radar moves that ends up paying real dividends. This week, they added defensive back Beanie Bishop Jr. to their practice squad-bringing in a player who not only has NFL experience, but also a familiar face in the building. Cornerbacks coach Grady Brown worked with Bishop during his rookie season in Pittsburgh, so there’s already a level of trust and understanding in place.
Bishop came into the league as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia, but he didn’t stay under the radar for long. He made an immediate impact with the Steelers, carving out a role in their nickel package and showing he belonged on an NFL field.
In 17 games, he racked up 45 total tackles-including two for loss and 30 solo stops-along with seven pass breakups, four interceptions, a fumble recovery, and even half a sack. That’s not just filling a role-that’s making plays.
What stood out about Bishop’s game wasn’t just the splash plays, though. It was the consistency.
He played 550 defensive snaps and missed only three tackles. He drew just three flags all season.
In a league where young DBs often struggle with discipline and technique, Bishop showed poise and polish. That’s the kind of tape that earns you more opportunities.
Still, things shifted in Pittsburgh. The Steelers reshuffled their secondary, moving Jalen Ramsey from the slot to free safety and handing the nickelback job to Brandin Echols.
That left Bishop on the outside looking in. After a brief stint trying out with the Texans, he’s now landed in New Orleans-and it might be the perfect situation.
The Saints’ secondary could be in transition soon. Alontae Taylor is set to hit free agency in March, and with just five games left in the regular season, the team is already thinking about what the future might look like.
That opens the door for a player like Bishop. If he can show he’s a fit in Brandon Staley’s system-even just as a scout team standout-he could earn a shot at a bigger role come offseason workouts.
It’s early, and there’s work to be done, but Bishop’s track record suggests he’s more than just a practice squad body. He’s a guy who’s already proven he can contribute at the NFL level. Now, he’s got a second chance-and maybe the right opportunity to make it count.