The most surprising fact about the Pittsburgh Steelers right now is not that they lost a starter, but that a rookie is already stepping up to replace him. While Roman Wilson sits on the sidelines with a dislocated finger, rookie Germie Bernard has quietly taken over the offense. This shift happened fast, with Bernard matching the team lead in receptions during the last game against the Indianapolis Colts. He caught six passes for 80 yards, a performance that caught the eye of the coaching staff and the fans alike.
The injury to Wilson was severe enough to leave him heavily bandaged in the locker room on Monday morning. According to Still Curtain, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler expects Wilson to miss real time due to this new injury. This adds to a rough stretch for the team, as they have already lost Michael Pittman Jr. to a foot injury and Ben Skowronek to a calf ailment. The Steelers now face a doomsday scenario at the wide receiver position, with only D.K. Metcalf and the rookie group remaining healthy, per Heavy.com.
Coach McCarthy Praises Rookie Growth
Head coach Mike McCarthy did not hide his excitement about Bernard’s rapid improvement. He told reporters on Monday that “Football comes easy to him. I think there’s some young-guy mistakes he made yesterday, but you can see it coming.” The coach noted that the young player is learning the system quickly and making fewer errors as the season goes on. McCarthy also highlighted Bernard’s versatility, stating, “I think he’s acclimated very well to the offense. The ability to play all three positions. He sticks his nose in there in the run game too.”
He told the media, “I’ve been very, very impressed.” This level of confidence from a head coach is rare for a player in his first few weeks of NFL action. The offense is adapting, and Bernard is the main reason it is working so well right now.
Aaron Rodgers and Bernard Build Chemistry
The connection between quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Bernard is growing stronger every week. Yahoo Sports states that Rodgers is performing at his peak and seems to be building synergy with the squad’s second-round selection. This bond is critical for the Steelers as they prepare for their next game. The more they play together, the better Bernard becomes at anticipating what Rodgers will do. Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio explained this dynamic, noting that “Him and Aaron [Rodgers], the more they play together, the more that Germ will feel — anticipate what Aaron is going to do.”
Bernard participated in more than 75% of the plays with a 92% snap share on Sunday, marking only the second instance in his career where he exceeded 75% of offensive snaps, as noted by Behind the Steel Curtain. He turned nine targets into six catches, averaging 13.33 yards per catch. This high volume of targets shows that the coaching staff trusts him completely. Even with Michael Pittman Jr. on injured reserve and unable to play for at least three more contests, the offense has found a new primary target in the rookie.
What Comes Next for the Steelers
The Steelers will be down three weapons when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, October 18. The team must rely on Bernard to fill the void left by Wilson and Pittman. Despite the loss of veterans, the offense put up 34 points against the Colts on Sunday, a result of McCarthy’s game plan. The tight end group also remains strong, with Mike McCarthy saying, “I think Pat [Freiermuth] and Darnell [Washington] have really established themselves.” He added that this depth gives the team flexibility to play big or play open without needing a third receiver.
As the season moves into the second half of October, the role of the rookie will only expand. Bernard needs to continue to grow and get better each week while understanding what is required of him. Angelichio said the goal is for the player to “continue to grow and get better each week, understand the offense, understand what’s required of him.” The team will need him to step up again when they travel to Raymond James Stadium.