While it’s still early goings for this rookie class, second-round WR Germie Bernard is already showing HC Mike McCarthy something. Through the two-day rookie minicamp, he has, at least, looked the part. And not just physically, but most importantly at this stage, mentally, which will be the most important step in him playing sooner rather than later.

Asked about how Bernard is picking up the offense and how quickly he looks like they may be able to throw the ball his way, McCarthy first exercised caution, saying that is likely a question for further down the road. The Steelers open OTAs next week, which will involve more relevant work to this conversation.

“We wanted to go full speed as far as how we line up, how we communicate, how we shift and motion”, McCarthy said via transcript about what kind of work the Steelers wanted to give Germie Bernard and the other rookies during minicamp over the weekend.

“We just wanted to really get the communication, everybody to fit, no different with the routes. Football comes easy to him”, he specified of Bernard. “His understanding is very high. Doesn’t blink. I love his demeanor. You can see why his versatility in college definitely carries over. I think he’s been an excellent fit for us”.

A second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Germie Bernard comes into the NFL as a polished route runner. The Steelers traded up in the round to secure him, though they may have done so partially because they were spooked by missing out on Makai Lemon in the first round.

Pittsburgh has DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. atop the wide receiver depth chart, but it’s open beyond that. The only other major offensive carryover is Roman Wilson, a third-year third-round pick. Thus far, he hasn’t earned a more prominent role, so one assumes Germie Bernard can seize the opportunity.

The ability for a rookie to play early, however, always starts from within. They have to prove to the coaching staff that they can trust him. With McCarthy’s comment that football comes easy to Bernard, that feels like a good early indication. That’s likely something they anticipated while scouting him, but there’s another level to it when you have him on your own field and working within your offense.

Of course, extrapolating from that comment during rookie minicamp an immediate starting role is a stretch. There’s still a lot of offseason to work through before we can have those conversations in earnest. But I anticipate the Steelers will work Germie Bernard in with the starters a fair bit, beginning with OTAs. It’s not as though they have a ton of other veteran options, after all.

Among the others on the roster, the most notable is Ben Skowronek. He is a Pro Bowler, but on special teams—not on offense. Also now in that room is fourth-round pick Kaden Wetjen. While he may have a small offensive role, he is here primarily as a return man. It’s reasonable to assume, off the bat, that Bernard is ahead of both of them now. But will he be on the field a lot in the Steelers’ season opener? If football comes to him as easily as McCarthy believes, he quite possibly will.