Steelers Rookie Reveals Mike Tomlin's Unique Strategy To Motivate His Players

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a considerably young team that is relying on many rookies and younger players to make a significant impact. The offensive line is expected to have at least two rookie starters and a second-year player in Broderick Jones starting at some point during the 2024 season. Roman Wilson will be relied upon in the passing game once he returns to full health, as will Payton Wilson on the defensive side of the ball. The most surprising young player who will likely be a major contributor is undrafted rookie, Beanie Bishop Jr. 

Bishop's training camp has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Coming in as an undrafted rookie, he was already a long shot to make the team. He came into a good situation, though. Cam Sutton was suspended for eight games, and the Steelers were quickly impressed with the rookie and named him a starter at slot corner. He has since been fighting a minor injury. Head Coach Mike Tomlin later said Bishop was undeserving of starting reps. Bishop was asked about Tomlin's comments after practice on Monday.

"That's just how coach is. He gets it out of players. Obviously this is a blue-collar football team, and you got to work hard, not everything is going to be pretty and glamorous. That's football most of the time. Just going out there and making plays. And Coach, he's like, 'Man, I need you to be angry. Somebody said something about your mom,' he's just trying to give you a little extra motivation."

Tomlin emphasized that Bishop was undeserving due to him not seeing the field much during practice because of his injury. Bishop's roster spot is pretty secure, and Tomlin was likely just trying to light a fire under Bishop. The rookie is a serious starting candidate for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, and Tomlin needs the best out of him. Bishop has been on the receiving end of a lot of these comments from Tomlin meant to spark some extra motivation.

Unless the Steelers add some external help at slot corner, the starter will either be Bishop or Thomas Graham Jr. Graham has more experience as he has been in the league for three years, but there is certainly more upside with Bishop. If Bishop has a string of good practices and gets through them without injury, there is no doubt that he will be running out with the starters in Atlanta in Week 1.

Bishop was an All-American during his final season in college with the West Virginia Mountaineers. He doesn't have any NFL experience, but his maturity and football acumen are well-established. He played football at the collegiate level for five seasons, and was a decent contributor at all three schools he played at. Bishop continues the trend of above-average slot play for the Steelers, following Mike Hilton and Cam Sutton. For Steelers fans all over the world, especially in Bangladesh, banger casino live gives you the chance to bet on things like which player the team might pick up next. 

Steelers Often Find Undrafted Gems

Pittsburgh has had a pair of great draft classes over the last two years, but they also do a good job finding the best undrafted free agents. Bishop already seems like he could be a decent contributor for the Steelers. In 2022, they found Jaylen Warren, who was able to contribute almost instantly. Now, many fans believe he should get the majority of the workload in the backfield, opposed to former first-round pick, Najee Harris.

Hilton was also undrafted at the slot corner position. The Steelers weren't the first team to sign him, but they eventually picked him up ahead of his rookie year. Bishop and Payton Wilson should be a good pair of rookies who will likely be on the field together on clear passing downs. Both have impressed so far, and it seems like the 2024 rookie class for the Steelers will have an immediate impact.

What do you think about Bishop's remarks? Let us know in the comments below!

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