It was no secret heading into the offseason that Pittsburgh needed to upgrade the wide receiver position. After adding Michael Pittman Jr. in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, all eyes turned to the draft which was loaded with wide receiver prospects. The Steelers left no doubt about their desire to invest at the position with the draft night mishap with Makai Lemon that generated plenty of headlines. In the second round, Pittsburgh selected Germie Bernard, and if things fall the right way, he could have a role in the offense right out of the gate.
“I think he’s going to be thrown into it right away,” said Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette after rookie minicamp practice on Saturday. “His competition right now in training camp would be Roman Wilson. Roman Wilson has had two difficult seasons trying to find his way into the NFL. So Bernard really has an opportunity if he steps in, learns the playbook and plays well, I think he’s got the inside track on that job.”
While this statement is equal parts an indictment of Wilson’s career thus far and the potential of Bernard, it creates an interesting storyline to watch once training camp is underway. Metcalf and Pittman are locks to be the top two receivers, but after that, the depth chart at the position is up in the air. Last season, the wide receivers after Metcalf were non-factors with the now-departed Calvin Austin III leading the pack with 31 receptions. Pittsburgh will also be looking to replace some of the production of Kenneth Gainwell, who led the team in receptions in 2025 but signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Wilson, a third round pick in 2024, only recorded 12 catches for 166 yards and two TDs last season and was a healthy scratch at times as Pittsburgh turned to outside veteran help in the form of Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling down the stretch. While his third season can be seen as a make or break year, under a new coaching staff, there’s no guarantee that he will make the roster, let alone earn more playing time.
While the Steelers won’t be relying on Bernard, the door is open if he proves himself capable of stepping in and earning playing time. He figures to be a fit in the slot but his versatility will allow him to earn more playing time as the season progresses.
The addition of Kaden Wetjen in the fourth round of the draft is another interesting wrinkle to Pittsburgh’s offense. While he was arguably the best returner in college football last season, he was also an offensive weapon and figures to get some playing time in Pittsburgh’s offense. While he shouldn’t be seen as a threat to Bernard’s role as a possible every-down receiver, it’s just one more variable that will be worked out starting in Latrobe this season.
Last season, Pittsburgh’s passing game was tight end and running back heavy and while weapons like Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Jaylen Warren, and Rico Dowdle figure to continue that trend in 2026, the investment in the receiver room should pay dividends for the passing game this season. Regardless of who is at quarterback, the Steelers’ offense should have more firepower than a year ago. The development of Germie Bernard will play a large part in determining the ceiling of the unit this season and beyond.
At least we are now arguing about WR3, and not WR2 like the last couple seasons.