Tag: Positional Battles

Is Mike Tomlin choosing loyalty over CB Beanie Bishop Jr.?

Cam Sutton’s assumption of the starting slot role in Week 13 could potentially slow down Beanie Bishop Jr.’s impressive rookie campaign.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. The Pittsburgh Steelers have dealt with a plethora of positional battles in 2024, with several seemingly being decided on a matter of HC Mike Tomlin’s preference rather than skill set. Tomlin’s decision to bring Russell Wilson into the starting conversation a few games too late was an example of this, as was his decision to ‘move on’ from rookie WR Roman Wilson’s participation earlier in the season when he was healthy. Tomlin is once again staring down another opportunity to make amends and choose dynamic play over loyalty, but the head coach seems keen on the latter.

While rookie slot cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. has been electric to start the 2024 season, the return of veteran slot cornerback Cam Sutton from suspension complicated the situation. It had appeared that Bishop had locked up the starting slot cornerback role, regardless of Sutton’s return. However, Week 13 saw the rookie see the field for only 9.7% of the defensive snaps, while Sutton took over the slot cornerback duties, playing over 70% of the snaps on defense. Sutton would give up two touchdowns in the contest, while Bishop hasn’t given up a touchdown since Week 6.

Tomlin tried to clarify that it was a matchup issue, but previous roster decisions he’s made may tell a different story.

Will Bishop be given his chance to earn back the starting job he should have never lost? Or is this another circumstance with Tomlin choosing loyalty over talent?

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Jaguars’ four most intriguing position battles heading into cut week

These four positional groups will keep the #Jaguars’ front office up at night heading into cut week.

After another preseason loss, the Jacksonville Jaguars are headed into cut week facing several critical decisions around key positions on their roster. Especially on defense, the team has a plethora of talent at their disposal but only so many roster spots to spare in constructing their final depth chart.

Some positional groups stand out more than others, though, and while Jacksonville may not have found the success they were hoping for in the preseason, they’ll assess where their strength truly lies before making any rash personnel moves.

Here are the five positional groups that will be key as the roster contracts from 80 to 53 players next week.

3 position battles to watch in Chiefs’ preseason Week 3 vs. Vikings

Keep an eye on these three position battles during the #Chiefs’ preseason finale against the #Vikings. | from @TheJohnDillon

With just two weeks until the Kansas City Chiefs’ regular-season home opener against the Browns, their exhibition matchup against Minnesota will be the last chance for players to secure their spot on the final roster. A month’s work in St. Joseph has culminated in this last game of the truncated preseason schedule, which should be the most intriguing football the team has played so far.

Starters are slated to play through the first half, and with the exception of the quarterback position and a handful of other spots, there are open competitions across the depth chart. Depth will be key for Kansas City in pursuit of another title, so this game could have major implications further along in the season. With that in mind, here are the three key position battles to watch as the Chiefs take on the Vikings.