The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for the team's first game of the 2026 season as the Atlanta Falcons will come to Pittsburgh in Week 1. This is considered a winnable game for the Steelers, and the fan base is going to want to see an impressive performance in all phases of the contest in Mike McCarthy's first matchup as the head coach of his hometown team. The offense has been underwhelming in Pittsburgh over the last few seasons, and fans are hoping that won't be the case with McCarthy running the show. He is the first offensive head coach in Pittsburgh in quite some time, and his reunion with quarterback Aaron Rodgers is reason for excitement.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers (8) during 2026 training camp as Head Coach Mike McCarthy looks on in Latrobe, PA.
McCarthy has plenty of experience with Rodgers as his quarterback. He dealt with him as a younger quarterback before he had a ton of success and was considered one of the best players to ever throw a football. He has also coached him after a bunch of the success. The duo has been through a ton together, and it is fair to say that they know each other pretty well.
The head coach spoke to the media on Monday ahead of his debut in Pittsburgh against the Falcons, and he was asked about his quarterback and what challenges he has seen rookie receivers have with getting on the same page as Rodgers. A relevant question considering the fact that Germie Bernard is expected to be a somewhat important part of the offense in 2026.
"Speed, you know just the speed of everything," McCarthy said. "I think just the ability to, heck, the way the ball comes out. His ability to recognize pressure, attack the middle of the field. Obviously, the inside routes, the in-breaking routes, the speed of that. The discipline it takes, not only your eye discipline, but your vision. You have to have your eyes in the right place to see what you need to see, as far as the adjustments in that phase of it."
Rodgers has been doing this for so long at such a high level, there is nothing he hasn't seen before when it comes to what opposing defenses might throw at him. This allows him to process everything quickly and get the ball out of his hands fast, which is something that younger wide receivers coming into the league might have a hard time adjusting to. That is something that McCarthy noted immediately.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard (17) during 2026 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers have two rookie wide receivers on the roster that this probably applies to. Bernard is one of them, and he is the one that is most likely to see the field and be leaned on as a vital part of the offense. Kaden Wetjen is the other, but he is more of a return specialist. It would be surprising to see him on the field on offense for more than a play or two. Roman Wilson could also be mentioned here. He is entering his second season with Rodgers, but the two were not on the same page consistently enough in 2025. This led to Wilson seemingly being benched in the second half of the regular season.
Steelers Need Veteran Receivers To Lead The Way
The top dog in the receiver room for Pittsburgh is DK Metcalf, and he is going to have to have a big season. He underperformed in 2025 and needs to bounce back for the Steelers in 2026, while Michael Pittman Jr. also needs to have a decent year. Those are two reliable veterans that must be on the same page with Rodgers while also being role models for the younger guys.
Rodgers working with a younger receiver like Bernard is always going to be concerning just because of the reputation that Rodgers has built for himself, but hopefully their connection grows in a positive direction throughout the season.
What do you think about McCarthy's comments about Rodgers and his younger receivers? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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