PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers ' second-round pick Germie Bernard is expected to have an instant impact in Mike McCarthy 's offense.
SI's Justin Melo said Bernard "was the savviest route runner in the receiver class, and he'll do an excellent job working underneath the coverage while DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. play a more vertical game for the Pittsburgh Steelers."
Bernard led Alabama with 64 receptions and 862 receiving yards last season. He yanked down seven touchdowns during the same campaign, more than he had during his first three college go-rounds combined (six).
"He has good size, accelerates to top speed quickly and is a smooth route runner with well-disguised breaks and clean footwork getting in and out," NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein said in a pre-draft scouting report. "He can line up outside or in the slot and is capable of running a full route tree across all three levels."
Bernard recently revealed that quarterback Aaron Rodgers sees his potential and has been doing everything he can to help him along.
"He's just teaching me the game. He's helping me catch up," Bernard said via FOX54 News . "He sees that I have the potential to play, and so he's pouring into me as much as I can, and I just ask questions and try to learn and be a sponge as much as I can, and receive what they're telling me because they know the best."
Bernard has been working with James Everett, also known as "The Route God," this offseason. Fellow Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson has also been training with Everett.
The Route God, who's based in Florida, has trained former Steelers wide receivers Diontae Johnson , George Pickens and several other NFL stars.
17 • Germie Bernard
, Wide Receiver, Alabama
6-foot-1, 206 pounds, 22 years old, 1st pro season
Acquired : The Steelers selected Bernard in the second round (47th overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft.
GERMIE BERNARD COLLEGE CAREER
Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) dives for a score at the pylon with Wisconsin defensive back Preston Zachman (14), Wisconsin defensive back D'Yoni Hill (5) and Wisconsin linebacker Tackett Curtis (4) unable to make the stop at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025. Gary Cosby Jr. /Imagn ImagesCredit: Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Steelers heavily scouted Bernard ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft . Pittsburgh brought Bernard in for a pre-draft visit and had a formal meeting with him at the NFL Combine.
Coming out of Alabama, Bernard brings a skill set shaped in one of college football's most demanding systems. Known for his polished route running, ability to create separation, and sure hands on money downs, with only four drops on 232 career third down targets, he has shown flashes of being a reliable target in both short and intermediate areas. His experience against top-tier SEC competition only adds to his appeal. Bernard was a 2-year starter at Alabama after transferring from Washington , he finished his senior season with 64 catches for 862 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging 13.5 yards per reception.
Bernard, who started his college career at Michigan State, is a Las Vegas native. He transferred to Alabama after one season in East Lansing.
Bernard led Alabama in receptions in each of the last two seasons. He is a versatile receiver who is not afraid to do the dirty work. He's a willing blocker, which should make him a good fit in Pittsburgh.
GERMIE BERNARD COLLEGE STATS
| Year |
College |
GP |
Receptions |
Yards |
Touchdowns |
Rushing |
Rushing Yds |
Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 |
Michigan State |
12 |
7 |
128 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
| 2023 |
Alabama |
14 |
34 |
419 |
2 |
13 |
43 |
2 |
| 2024 |
Alabama |
13 |
50 |
794 |
2 |
4 |
37 |
1 |
| 2025 |
Alabama |
14 |
64 |
862 |
7 |
18 |
101 |
2 |
GERMIE BERNARD PRE-DRAFT TESTING
Bernard scored a 9.06 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 393 out of 4190 wide receivers from 1987 to 2026.
SALARY CAP AND CONTRACT
Bernard signed a four-year rookie contract worth $10,544,878, fully guaranteed. In 2026, he is set to earn an $885,000 base salary and a $4,129,000 signing bonus, bringing his total cash payout for the year to $5,014,000, according to Over The Cap .
ODDS AND ENDS
Bernard was high school teammates with Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada. Bernard was a freshman and Fautanu a senior. Bernard reconnected with Fautanu at Washington in 2023, as well.
MORE STEELERS ALL 90
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Why Germie Bernard Will Have Instant Impact with Steelers
Related Headlines
