Known for his high standards, the four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers is already molding second-round pick Germie Bernard as the Pittsburgh Steelers overhauls its offense to fuel a final Super Bowl run.
Aaron Rodgers’ dealings with rookie wide receivers have been well documented.
The four-time MVP had issues with Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson during their first season with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers expects perfection from his receivers in route running and understanding where he wants them on the field.
And that's nothing to say of the hand signal controversy. Needless to say, Rodgers wants his receivers on the same page, whether there's clear communication or not.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have veteran receivers DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. taking the WR1 and WR2 spots. The Steelers traded up to take Germie Bernard in the second round, and he could earn the WR3 job in training camp this summer.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesDuring a youth camp this week, Bernard told Fox54 Huntsville, Alabama, that Rodgers made a quick judgment that the young rookie has the "potential" to make plays for the Steelers.
“Coming in as a rookie and him being an NFL vet, man, he’s just teaching me the game,” Bernard said. “He’s helping me catch up because he thinks I have the potential to play. He’s just pouring into me as much as he can.
"I just ask questions and I try to learn, be a sponge as much as I can. Receive what they’re telling me because they know the best, they’ve been played the game for a long time.”
Still, Bernard will have a learning curve as a rookie this season. Rodgers will certainly lean on Metcalf and Pittman while he builds trust with Bernard in the early part of the regular season.
The Steelers upgraded their receiver corps after a disappointing 2025 season. Still, there has been chatter Pittsburgh could add another receiver before the regular season to help Rodgers chase a Super Bowl in his final NFL season.
It might be optimal for the Steelers to wait until the preseason to see what they want to do to their receiver corps. Bernard has plenty of potential, and he could be good enough that Pittsburgh could think about saving resources for another spot on the roster during the 18-week season.
