- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,129,560
- Reaction score
- 59
Before they knew for sure Aaron Rodgers was coming back, the Pittsburgh Steelers made moves to go all-in to win with a veteran roster in Mike McCarthy's first season as head coach.
The Steelers could have decided to use 2026 as a rebuilding year, build around a new core of players, and compete for a title in the future.
Pittsburgh traded for receiver Michael Pittman Jr. before traded up in the draft to land receiver Germie Bernard in the second round. Those additions will aid Rodgers this fall, and the Steelers have big plans for Bernard.
On Thursday, Bernard told reporters that Pittsburgh is finding a role for him this season, and they're challenging him during OTAs so he's ready for the regular season.
"Coming in and knowing what to do and being challenged is something I take wholeheartedly because that means that they trust me," said Bernard, via the Steelers.
"They want me to have some type of role within the team. I'm making sure I'm doing everything that I can to learn everything and learn from everybody and execute to my best ability. If I mess up, I'm doing it full speed and then I'm asking questions and I'm not going to make the same mistake again."
Steelers offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio noted that the team is pushing Bernard early in OTAs. He's been receptive to the challenge, working outside of the building to learn the offense.
"I think (receivers coach) Adam Henry's done a great job with that, moving those guys around," said Angelichio. "We talk about conceptual teaching, and we want to push the envelope early. We want to see where Germie can move and what he can handle, and he's done a good job with it.
"I think his approach and how he studies outside the building, I think that showed up because we're able to do those things, but we want to push all of them and just kind of see where they go with it."
Having Rodgers is a blessing and a curse for Bernard. He'll learn a lot quickly. But he'll also face pressure to run every route correctly to make sure he receives targets from a perfectionist.
Continue reading...
The Steelers could have decided to use 2026 as a rebuilding year, build around a new core of players, and compete for a title in the future.
Pittsburgh traded for receiver Michael Pittman Jr. before traded up in the draft to land receiver Germie Bernard in the second round. Those additions will aid Rodgers this fall, and the Steelers have big plans for Bernard.
On Thursday, Bernard told reporters that Pittsburgh is finding a role for him this season, and they're challenging him during OTAs so he's ready for the regular season.
"Coming in and knowing what to do and being challenged is something I take wholeheartedly because that means that they trust me," said Bernard, via the Steelers.
"They want me to have some type of role within the team. I'm making sure I'm doing everything that I can to learn everything and learn from everybody and execute to my best ability. If I mess up, I'm doing it full speed and then I'm asking questions and I'm not going to make the same mistake again."
Steelers offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio noted that the team is pushing Bernard early in OTAs. He's been receptive to the challenge, working outside of the building to learn the offense.
"I think (receivers coach) Adam Henry's done a great job with that, moving those guys around," said Angelichio. "We talk about conceptual teaching, and we want to push the envelope early. We want to see where Germie can move and what he can handle, and he's done a good job with it.
"I think his approach and how he studies outside the building, I think that showed up because we're able to do those things, but we want to push all of them and just kind of see where they go with it."
Having Rodgers is a blessing and a curse for Bernard. He'll learn a lot quickly. But he'll also face pressure to run every route correctly to make sure he receives targets from a perfectionist.
Continue reading...
