Rookie receiver Germie Bernard praises a high-character culture as the post-Tomlin era begins, highlighting a veteran coaching staff focused on building a winning foundation through shared values.
For the new crop of rookies with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the weekend's minicamp under head coach Mike McCarthy was the first practice they'd had in the organization or the NFL.
McCarthy, as the leader of the Steelers, is all they've known.
But when voluntary minicamp begins, things will be different for the team veterans, used to working under Mike Tomlin, who took over as head coach in 2007 before parting ways with Pittsburgh in January.
Second-round pick Germie Bernard told reporters of his first impression of McCarthy and his staff. He believes McCarthy is setting up his foundation this offseason, and it starts with finding players and coaches with certain values.
"I feel like even though we have a new coaching staff, we have a lot of coaches with a lot of experience," said Bernard, via the Steelers. "They know how to build an organization. They know the right values and characteristic traits for guys they bring into the building.
"I think we're going to have great guys in the building, great coaches in the building, and it's going to help us succeed on the field."
McCarthy has had success with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys as a head coach, making the playoffs with both and winning the Super Bowl with the Packers.
The Steelers might be rebuilding in Year 1, but McCarthy should get his team to compete.
Bernard plans to learn from as many veterans as possible in the next few months. Then he wants his chance to show the coaching staff he's capable of bigger responsibility for the fall.
Bernard believes he'll bring reliability to the Steelers.
"I bring a very reliable guy, a very selfless guy," said Bernard. "A guy that's always joyful, smiling, and wants the best for his teammates. He wants them to succeed.
"A guy that's going to go out on Sundays and make plays and help bring success to the team in any way that I can."
The Steelers added Bernard, hoping to bring in a type of wide receiver that didn't attract negative press or make the offense about himself. Based on his recent comments, Pittsburgh should like what they have in the young player.