The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to look very different in 2026 due to the coaching change that occurred after the 2025 season came to a close. When former head coach Mike Tomlin announced he was stepping down, it gave the organization a great chance to pivot philosophically, and it did exactly that. The Steelers have been known for having a defensive head coach, but the franchise went out and hired Mike McCarthy as Tomlin's successor. He is an offensive-minded individual, and he already announced that he would be calling the plays for the offense. He brings along his version of the West Coast Offense, which is something quarterback Aaron Rodgers is experienced with.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy looks out toward the media during his opening press conference on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, which was held at Acrisure Stadium.
The Steelers will have a completely revamped offense in 2026. The system is different and more modern, and the roster is also improved from what it was in 2025. The offensive line has another year of experience and should be more developed, while Rodgers will also have some more weapons to target in the passing game. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. joined the team via trade just before the start of free agency, and the organization also went out and drafted wide receiver Germie Bernard. That duo, along with DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson, present some interesting options in the passing game.
There is reason for optimism when it comes to the offense in 2026, and Bernard knows the group could be special. He spoke about the offense during a recent appearance on the podcast Big Time Talks.
"Bro, I ain't going to lie, we got a squad," Bernard said. "Our offense is crazy. Everybody know that we got a good defense. We got secondary, all that. We got guys on the edge, linebackers we got a squad. But now we got pieces that we needed on offense for it to thrive, and we got the system for the offense to thrive."
Bernard believes the offense could be crazy in 2026, and a lot of that is because of the players. However, and possibly more importantly, he knows the Steelers have the system in place on offense to make things happen. McCarthy was focused on installing this during the offseason program, and the system will be refined throughout training camp in Latrobe.
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Steelers' Germie Bernard makes a catch during a practice in the 2026 offseason.
Bernard has belief in what he has seen from the offense during the offseason practices, but he is also a rookie that hasn't seen much at the NFL level. There is no reason for anyone to get their hopes too high when it comes to this offensive unit. There are several reasons to be hesitant, one being the 42-year-old under center, the other being the right side of the offensive line.
Rodgers played well enough in 2025, but it would be completely reasonable to expect more out of him in 2026. He is reuniting with his former head coach, and he is familiar with parts of the offensive system. It was a system he thrived in when he was with the Green Bay Packers. Hopefully he has a bigger year in 2026, with Bernard being a reason why.
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Steelers' Troy Fautanu speaks with wide receiver Germie Bernard during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in 2026.
Steelers' Germie Bernard Needs To Become Reliable In The New Offense
If Bernard can prove that he can be a reliable wide receiver in this offense early on, then both McCarthy and Rodgers will be able to trust him. This could lead to big things for the rookie as he could see a lot of targets, but he first has to win the job as the team's third wide receiver. He'll be battling Wilson for this spot throughout camp, and it is one of the more underrated position battles that will be occurring in Pittsburgh. A lot of fans are probably rooting for Bernard to win this spot due to the potential he has.
What do you think of Bernard's expectations for the offense in 2026? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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