The Pittsburgh Steelers are not considered a clear Super Bowl contender by any means, but the team has proven that it knows how to get into the postseason in the last couple of years. The franchise has had a lot of turnover year over year, yet the organization continues to find ways to punch its ticket to the playoffs. There has still not been any playoff success in nearly a decade, but it has been a clear goal of the franchise to find a way to fix that. Upgrades on the roster and filling in some holes on the depth chart have been important, along with incorporating a new coaching staff.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers talking things over at practice in the summer of 2026.
One of the spots on the depth chart that needed to be improved was wide receiver. The organization did that by going out and trading for Michael Pittman Jr. and then drafting Germie Bernard in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. There has been a ton of excitement surrounding Bernard as he prepares for his first season in the NFL, and he was viewed by many as the most pro-ready prospect at his position.
Bernard has been praised for his professionalism throughout the offseason program, and his impressive mindset was on full display during a recent appearance on the podcast Big Time Talks. The podcast is hosted by defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins, and he was with the Seattle Seahawks in parts of the last two seasons. Bernard recognized that, and asked Hankins some valuable questions.
"So like, what do you see in the successful teams?" Bernard asked. "How do they make it far? You know what I mean?"
Hankins spent the 2024 season in Seattle and then the first part of the 2025 season before being ruled out for the year with a back injury. The team obviously went on to win Super Bowl LX in a convincing manner, and Hankins was around that group to start the year after spending the entire 2024 season in Seattle.
Sebastian Foltz / Post-Gazette
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold winds up to throw the football down the field during a game in Pittsburgh against the Steelers.
It is great to see a rookie like Bernard already asking these types of questions. He is focused on team success immediately, which is not something that is always seen from the wide receiver position. That position is often stereotyped as a selfish bunch that only cares about their touches, but that is clearly not the case with Bernard. He wants to win in Pittsburgh, and he is asking the right questions from the start. Hankins gave a thoughtful answer to his question.
"Honestly, really the camaraderie, the brotherhood, obviously me being on the defensive line, that's where it starts for us," Hankins said. "In my team with the Seahawks, obviously last year I didn't get to play because I had back surgery, but the year prior to that, we were just real close as a defense and as a team."
Hankins clearly believes it starts off the field, which is a good note for Bernard to take into consideration. It might be hard for the entire roster to become super close in Pittsburgh though due to the age disparity throughout the roster.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Germie Bernard during his photoshoot in Pittsburgh after being drafted in the second round in 2026.
Steelers' Germie Bernard Comes From A Winning Culture
Bernard did not have a ton of the typical team success during his two seasons at Alabama. However, he was still a part of that culture and tradition, which some might say is very similar to the organization in Pittsburgh. He was also on the Washington team that made it to the National Championship at the end of the 2023 season, but he decided to transfer a week after the game. Bernard brings a great background to Pittsburgh as a rookie, which hopefully will help him succeed early on.
What do you think about Bernard's curiosity about the successful teams in the NFL? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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