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Former Starter Cut From Steelers’ Final 53-Man Roster After Refusing To Be A Backup To A Rookie!

Could West Virginia's Beanie Bishop Jr. be an answer for the Steelers at  slot corner? | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh, PA — August 27, 2025
The NFL is no stranger to heartbreak in late August, but this one stings differently in Pittsburgh. Just a year removed from being a breakout starter, Beanie Bishop Jr. — the undrafted cornerback who became a fan favorite in 2024 — has been released from the Steelers’ final 53-man roster.

Bishop’s story once felt like a fairy tale. Overlooked in the draft, he clawed his way into a starting role last season, logging 12 starts and 3 interceptions, and earning the respect of Steelers Nation. His gritty rise was the kind of underdog tale Pittsburgh fans cherish.

But fairytales don’t last forever. According to team insiders, Bishop bristled when told he would take a backup role behind rookie Donte Kent and high-profile veterans such as Jalen Ramsey.

Reports suggest Bishop had a heated exchange with defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, making it clear he had no interest in mentoring a rookie from the sidelines.

“He demanded a trade — said he wouldn’t sit behind a kid he just spent all camp battling. When the coaches pushed back, he skipped a practice in protest,” one source revealed anonymously.

The friction made the decision inevitable. The Steelers cut ties — stunning fans who had already pictured Bishop as part of their defensive backbone.

The move clears the way for rookie Donte Kent, who has impressed with his quick instincts and sticky coverage in training camp. For now, the Steelers are betting on youth, speed, and upside.

The question lingers: is this the end of Bishop’s Pittsburgh story, or just the beginning of a new chapter elsewhere? At 24, with starting experience and playmaking flashes, he won’t be on the market long. Another team could view him as a valuable pickup — if he’s willing to embrace a role that fits.

For the fans, the emotions are conflicted. Bishop’s rise embodied the toughness and grit they crave. His fall, though, reminds everyone of the unforgiving politics of the NFL: no position is safe, no role guaranteed.

Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side