The Steelers didn’t have D.K. Metcalf or Michael Pittman Jr. on the field Thursday, and that opened the door for a younger receiver to make his case.
Germie Bernard walked through it.
The second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft got a chance to work with Mason Rudolph and made the most of it, finishing with four catches for 51 yards on five targets. He was only on the field for a limited number of snaps, but the production jumped off the page all the same.
Bernard’s best moment came on a flat route when he turned a short throw into a much bigger gain. That kind of burst after the catch is a big part of why Pittsburgh liked him so much coming out of Alabama, and it’s the sort of trait he’ll be asked to lean on plenty in Mike McCarthy’s offense.
He also came within inches of a touchdown on a play that showed off Rudolph’s ability to escape pressure and find him in the back of the end zone. Bernard’s foot was just out of bounds, but the sequence still stood out.
The rookie didn’t just flash in one area, either. Against the Packers, he made plays at all three levels of the field and showed he can line up both in the slot and outside. That kind of versatility matters in a receiver battle, especially with Bernard competing against Roman Wilson for the No. 3 job throughout camp.
One preseason game won’t settle that race, but Bernard clearly had the stronger showing Thursday. If he keeps stacking outings like this, he has a real chance to carve out a role early. For now, the first impression was a strong one.
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Steelers Rookie Is Already Pushing His Way Into A Key Role
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For a Steelers offense looking for answers behind its top targets, that matters. Bernard already looks like a real contender for the WR3 job, but Aaron Rodgers also pointed to the obvious next step, saying the rookie still has to get sharper with the playbook and the speed of his execution. For now, Bernard has given Pittsburgh something worth watching as camp rolls on. [Read more 🡒]