The Chicago Bears defense has dealt with some injuries in training camp, especially in the secondary. Those injuries led them to add depth with cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr., who had an impressive showing in Chicago’s preseason win against the Cleveland Browns.
Bishop recorded two interceptions -- one from Shedeur Sanders and the other from Dillon Gabriel. Both quarterbacks overthrew their respective passes straight into Bishop’s hands. His return on the second interception put the Bears in field goal range and kicker Cairo Santos was able to make a 49-yard field goal to extend Chicago’s lead in the fourth quarter.
After the game, head coach Ben Johnson discussed Bishop's performance and credited the veteran for capitalizing on his opportunities.
"I think it’s a credit to him," Johnson said. "He doesn’t say a whole lot. He’s just learning and trying to absorb the system right now. I think [defensive coordinator Dennis Allen] DA has been pretty clear with how our pass defense works together. It’s the rush upfront, combined with the coverage in the back end. And when you feel that front coming off the ball and affecting the quarterback to the degree that they did, move him off his spot, that’s where you get some overthrows and things of that nature.
"And Beanie’s in great position and he took advantage of it twice, you know? Thought he had a great return afterwards as well. It was awesome to see. We’ll continue to evaluate him as we get going. Also, where we have to get better as a team is, we have to score some touchdowns when we get those takeaways. There’s a lot of good tape from today. I know what the score says, and yet we have a lot to learn from and grow from as well."
Bishop spent most of the 2025 season on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad after playing in all 17 games for the Steelers in 2024. Bishop finished last year on the New Orleans Saints practice squad before being handed a three-game suspension in March. New Orleans ultimately released Bishop in late July.
Even though he will not be eligible to play the first three games of the season, Bishop still has a chance of making Chicago’s roster with the injury uncertainty the Bears have in the secondary, particularly cornerback Kyler Gordon, whose timeline for a return is still not known.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Ben Johnson reacts to Bears CB Beanie Bishop's performance vs. Browns
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