The Steelers did plenty of work to reshape their pass-catching group, but the real swing factors might be the two younger names tucked behind the headliners: Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard.
Pittsburgh brought in Michael Pittman Jr. to pair with DK Metcalf, giving Aaron Rodgers a clear one-two punch. Pittman Jr. is positioned as the steady presence underneath and between the numbers, while Metcalf brings the size and speed to threaten a defense over the top.
That’s a solid foundation on its own. But if Wilson and Bernard can become reliable pieces too, the whole offense has another gear.
Wilson’s season looms especially large. Through his first two years, he has barely made a mark, but this summer suggested a different trajectory.
Rodgers singled him out for his progress, calling it one of the best camps on the team. That kind of praise matters coming from Rodgers, who does not hand it out casually.
The fit is obvious. Wilson has the speed to stretch the field - he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash - and enough route-running craft to work the 10-20 yard window as well. That gives Pittsburgh another layer if he can turn the offseason buzz into production.
Bernard, meanwhile, has already shown he’s willing to grind through the details Rodgers demands. The rookie didn’t run from the quarterback’s meticulous style; he leaned into it.
"It’s really made me home in (on) the smallest details. He’s very detail-oriented. It made me dive deeper into my playbook, dive deeper into my relationship with him, so I can start to understand the way that he thinks,” Bernard said.
He also flashed a little in the preseason, finishing with 64 receiving yards, 46 of them after the catch. That matters in Mike McCarthy’s offense, where receivers can get the ball quickly and create damage once it’s in their hands. Bernard showed that skill in a limited sample.
There’s also value in his flexibility. He can line up in the X, Y, or Z spots, which gives the coaches ways to get him on the field and keep him involved.
Pittsburgh and Rodgers are expected to lean on the quick game, and the offense already has established target magnets in Metcalf, Pittman Jr., Jaylen Warren, and Pat Freiermuth. Still, the receiver room looks stronger than it did in 2025, and Wilson plus Bernard could be the pieces that push it from solid to dangerous.
The Steelers don’t need every playmaker to be a star. They just need enough of them to matter. If Wilson and Bernard keep building, Pittsburgh’s offense could end up getting the kind of lift that changes its ceiling.
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Atlanta has not offered an official update, and for Pittsburgh the bigger question is whether the quarterbacks status changes by kickoff. The Falcons have already named Tagovailoa their starter for the opener, with Cooper Rush next in line if needed, but until there is more clarity, the Steelers will be preparing for a game plan that could hinge on how that back issue responds. [Read more 🡒]