Last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't have a reliable pass-catcher to help Aaron Rodgers beyond DK Metcalf, and the entire offense suffered as a result. Germie Bernard, their second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, will be a huge reason why that won't be a problem this season.
The trade for Metcalf was a huge win for the Steelers, and the impact he made with Rodgers was a huge reason why Pittsburgh snatched a division title and a playoff spot at the buzzer last year. But the lack of quality secondary targets held the passing game back in a big way, allowing opposing defenses to simply focus all of their attention on Metcalf, knowing nobody else would make them pay in those 1-on-1 situations.
Rodgers is back for one more year as he closes out a Hall of Fame career, and the Steelers made sure he'll have more playmakers to work with this time around.
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They made another trade for a veteran, just like they did last year with Metcalf, acquiring Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts, and giving him a hefty new contract. He'll give Rodgers another big, physical target who can win those 1-on-1 matchups, move the chains on third down, and put points on the board in the red zone.
But it's Bernard who will bring a different skill set to the party, one that Rodgers should take advantage of early and often.
A do-it-all weapon at Alabama, Bernard lined up all over the field for the Crimson Tide, and no matter how the ball got into his hands, he made big things happen when it did. Not only will that versatility allow the Steelers to open up their offensive scheme and find creative ways to deploy Bernard's playmaking ability, but he should have plenty of room to work all over the field while opposing defenses are worried about Metcalf and Pittman.
The No. 45 overall player on my board heading into this draft (the Steelers took him at No. 47), Bernard has all of the physical tools necessary to make a significant impact right away for the Steelers, but it's the mental side of his game that should quickly become valuable to Rodgers.
He's a smooth, savvy route-runner who knows how to set up opposing defenders with slight movements and polished footwork, and he's got great feel for finding those soft spots in zone coverage. He can turn a quick catch into a big gain with his playmaking instincts, and he plays the game with a tough, competitive mentality that serves him well when playing through contact. He's not afraid to line up close to the trenches and get his hands dirty as a blocker, which means the Steelers won't have to give anything away when it comes to how they align and which formations they can run/pass out of in a given situation.
All of those things should add up to a ton of value for the Steelers right away, and though he might not look like a full-time starter on the depth chart, Bernard has everything he needs to be a productive and essential rookie as Rodgers plays out his swan song.
