Steelers Rookie Germie Bernard May Have Ended One Battle And Created A Dangerous One Behind It

The Pittsburgh Steelers spent training camp wondering whether a rookie could push his way into the top three at wide receiver. Matt Williamson believes that debate has essentially answered itself. Germie Bernard has moved far enough ahead of Roman Wilson that Williamson is no longer particularly interested in comparing them. His concern has shifted one spot lower, where Pittsburgh may still need an answer before September.

The top of the room is not difficult to identify. DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. give the Steelers two established starters, while Bernard has spent August turning his second-round draft status into something much more useful than a line on his résumé. Pittsburgh's initial depth chart listed Wilson with the first group and Bernard behind Pittman, but preseason football has continued rewriting that piece of paper.

Bernard's first exhibition offered the clearest evidence. He caught four passes for 51 yards against the Green Bay Packers, including a 25-yard catch-and-run that showcased the physicality Pittsburgh liked when it traded up to select him 47th overall. Wilson finished that contest with one reception for seven yards. Bernard then went without a catch against the New York Jets, but his broader camp has already convinced Williamson that the WR3 conversation has separated.

During a recent episode of SNR Drive, Williamson made his assessment blunt.

“I got no worries about Bernard. I think he’s going to be a quality pro and a quality rookie. And if he’s my third-best receiver, I’m fine with that. So, those three are your top three, I think, at this point. I don’t think Roman even challenges Bernard at this point,” Williamson said.

Bernard's steady climb through camp has changed what Pittsburgh needs from Wilson. Earlier in the summer, the two young pass-catchers were framed as competitors for opportunities behind Metcalf and Pittman. The rookie pulling away does not automatically remove Wilson from the roster, but it does eliminate the easiest argument for keeping him: that he might still become the clear third option.

Wilson's problem is not that he lacks intriguing traits. Pittsburgh has praised his speed, ability to work inside and outside and increasing comfort in Mike McCarthy's system. The coaching staff has deliberately moved him around the formation, and he has produced several encouraging camp moments.

Williamson is looking for something more dependable. Route precision, playing through contact and value on special teams become increasingly important once a receiver slides down the offensive pecking order. Wilson has recorded only one special-teams tackle through his first two NFL seasons, while Pittsburgh currently lists Kaden Wetjen as its primary kick and punt returner. The further a wideout moves from featured offensive work, the harder it becomes to occupy a Sunday helmet without contributing somewhere else.

That is why Williamson is not comfortable simply penciling Wilson into WR4 and closing the meeting early.

“I have a hard time sleeping at night just saying Roman’s our four, we’re fine. We’re just going to go all year like that. He hasn’t deserved that yet… I just would at least be real open to see who gets cut or who else is out there… I just can’t just give him a roster spot right now just by default. I don’t want suspect players on my team that I don’t trust,” Williamson said.

That is harsher than Pittsburgh's public messaging, and it should be treated as Williamson's evaluation rather than evidence the organization plans to cut Wilson. The Steelers have continued giving the third-year receiver meaningful work, and the initial depth chart still reflects a prominent role. His first two professional seasons, however, left little production to fall back on: 12 catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns across 14 regular-season appearances.

The larger roster question makes Williamson's point worth considering. Bernard does not need special-teams work to justify his place if he becomes a dependable third receiver. Wilson may need a broader job description if his offensive snaps shrink. Pittsburgh can carry both, but every spot near the bottom of the depth chart eventually has to provide something the coaching staff trusts.

Waiting for league-wide cuts would give the Steelers another option. Receivers with actual NFL experience will become available when rosters shrink, and Pittsburgh would be able to compare those players with what Wilson has shown rather than awarding WR4 by seniority. The waiver wire is not exactly a luxury shopping district, but useful veterans appear every August because somebody else's numbers stop working.

Steelers May Have Solved WR3 Before Creating Another Question

Bernard becoming a legitimate third option would be excellent news for Pittsburgh. The rookie was drafted to strengthen a passing attack that leaned too heavily on one receiver last season, and his physical style gives the offense another player capable of creating yards after the catch. Official Steelers coverage entered camp already viewing Bernard and Wilson as the next rung behind Metcalf and Pittman. Williamson now believes one of them has clearly climbed it.

Wilson still has time to make the second part of this discussion disappear. A strong preseason finale, cleaner routes and useful work beyond the offense could reinforce why Pittsburgh has remained patient through two uneven seasons. His roster case does not have to depend on beating Bernard anymore.

It does need to depend on something.

Bernard appears to have taken WR3 without asking anyone's permission. Williamson's concern is whether the Steelers should automatically hand Wilson the chair immediately behind him simply because it happens to be empty.

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