Steelers' Wide Receiver Depth Is Not Fulfilled By Drafting Germie Bernard

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a significant issue with their lack of wide receiver talent in 2025. The organization traded for former Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf to add a top-tier talent to the offense. However, Pittsburgh traded its budding star, George Pickens, following the Metcalf trade. Many thought the team would try to pair the two, but with some attitude concerns from Pickens and knowing he would command a big contract at some point, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys. This left the Steelers with Metcalf and a cast of some underwhelming depth, and it showed. 

The franchise wanted to remedy its wide receiver issues of 2025, which really showed during the tail end of the season after Metcalf served a two-game suspension. It was time for a change, and very quickly into the new league year, the team traded for the Indianapolis Colts wideout, Michael Pittman Jr. He will add some star power to the offense and take some pressure off Metcalf, who was often double-teamed due to the lack of other threats on offense. The Steelers continued to add when they drafted University of Alabama receiver Germie Bernard in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Bernard made a big jump with the Crimson Tide, establishing himself as their number one pass catcher. The pick was necessary, as the Steelers needed to add some young pass-catching talent to their group. However, ESPN's Aaron Schatz noted the Steelers' wide receiver depth is their biggest roster hole this season in an article he wrote about all 32 NFL teams. 

"The biggest question might be what the Steelers will do if a receiver suffers an injury or if rookie Germie Bernard struggles. Roman Wilson barely played in his rookie season and had just 12 catches in 2025, his second season. Ben Skowronek can be a useful jack-of-all-trades, but has only nine receptions over his two seasons in Pittsburgh. Fourth-round pick Kaden Wetjen is primarily a return specialist," Schatz wrote. 

It's clear that behind Pittman and Metcalf, the team is hoping for Bernard to come in and compete right away. Wilson has yet to prove anything, Skowronek is primarily a special teams ace, and the front office's fourth-round pick is a returner who barely played receiver in college. It seems Bernard's development and his ability to be a difference-maker early on will be important for the Steelers' passing attack. 

One of Pittsburgh's biggest needs coming into the 2026 offseason was the need for a solid slot receiver. Bernard brings exactly that, considering that's where he played a lot in college. His versatility to line up in various spots is why he'll be invaluable, though. New head coach Mike McCarthy is known for admiring receivers who can play on the inside and outside, so he can get the matchups he wants. Bernard has a chance to do that in Pittsburgh, having even lined up in the backfield at times in Tuscaloosa. 

However, being a rookie, there's a chance that Bernard could struggle to acclimate to NFL-caliber football initially. Based on the lack of depth behind the two stars, he more than likely will already have a big role from the start. If there's an injury to Metcalf and/or Pittman, it will be hard to trust a rookie with such a large task. Pittsburgh is lacking a solid veteran who could take the pressure off in case of injury, meaning Bernard's pick doesn't really solve the Steelers' chronic receiver depth issue. 

The Steelers Need Bernard To Be Exceptional Right Away

The pick suggests that the team needed that third weapon, and expects Bernard to contribute immediately. This will be a very tall task for the rookie, but the organization favors receivers who can block and do the dirty work, along with their pass-catching abilities; Bernard does that. He's gone out and said he is looking to win in the Black and Gold, which is very promising. His role will be a big one, as the other receiver he would compete with for the slot role is Wilson. 

Wilson spent a lot of time on the sidelines in 2025, where he didn't see the field much or was a healthy scratch. Bernard will have the chance during offseason activities to prove that he can start in the slot, because the Steelers' offense really needs it. 

#SteelerNation