The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten underway with the 2026 NFL Draft, and the franchise addressed two areas of need right off the top of the event. Pittsburgh grabbed a tackle in the first round in Max Iheanachor, and the organization snagged a wide receiver in the second round by picking Germie Bernard out of Alabama. Bernard was a player who the Steelers were connected with quite a bit throughout the pre-draft process, and it was known that he was a potential option for the Steelers in the second round. The team liked Bernard so much that it traded up for him.
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Former Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard speaks to the media following a loss in the Rose Bowl.
Bernard had a very successful career at Alabama, and now he will look to continue that journey in the Steel City. He seems to be a versatile wideout that can play inside and outside, and he is very much a threat to the defense when he has the ball in his hands.
He can make defenders miss, which is something the Steelers have been needing in the wide receiver room. Bernard spoke to the media on the phone after being drafted by Pittsburgh, and he talked about the idea of potentially catching passes from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is still deciding what he wants to do with his future.
"I loved it. I felt like I was home already," Germie Bernard said of his pre-draft visit with the Steelers.
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) April 25, 2026
On potentially playing with Aaron Rodgers: "He's a legend. Being able to catch balls from him and learn under him, it would mean everything."
Bernard mentioned that he always felt like he wanted to be a Steelers, and he is grateful for the chance to potentially play with a quarterback like Rodgers. It may be understandable if a rookie pass-catcher was not very thrilled to come to Pittsburgh due to the questionable quarterback situation, but Bernard is happy about the opportunity.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks down at his play sheet while he watches practice in street clothes as the team works out during 2025 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Rodgers is known for being very demanding of his wide receivers, and the quarterback is very particular when it comes to what his wideouts do. He wants routes run a very specific way, and he gets frustrated with guys when they don't listen or make a mistake. He is a risky quarterback to pair with a young player as he could ruin a rookie's confidence, but hopefully that does not happen with a player like Bernard.
Bernard played at Alabama for two seasons, and that is a football program that also demands perfection. Hopefully that can help ease his transition to the NFL, especially if he is going to be playing with Rodgers. He caught 114 passes during his time with the Crimson Tide. He accounted for over 1,650 receiving yards and nine touchdowns as well. He had a productive career, and hopefully that continues as the potential third option in the passing game for the Steelers offense.
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Steelers' Germie Bernard catches a ball during his time at Alabama during a road game in the 2025 season.
Steelers' Germie Bernard Will Have Great Role Models
Bernard joins a wide receiver room that includes a pair of accomplished veterans in DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. Both players should be viewed as true leaders on the offense, and it is a good duo for a young rookie to learn from. He could blossom into a great wide receiver for Pittsburgh, and is an exciting weapon.
This is what the offense has been missing for quite some time now, and hopefully the group looks a little bit better in 2026 than it has in recent years. The Steelers were always going to draft a wide receiver, and the franchise might not be done with the position group.
What do you think about Bernard's comments on Rodgers? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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