Even if it takes some time for Germie Bernard to contribute significantly, it may not be Roman Wilson replacing him. Ray Fittipaldo is under the impression that Bernard is essentially the third receiver in waiting. Until he’s ready, the Steelers may prefer to lean on personnel groupings other than 11 with three wide receivers. That means more Pat Freiermuth, for example, and Darnell Washington at tight end.
“I think they want to run the ball, and I think he’s gonna be in there a lot when they run”, Fittipaldo said on 93.7 The Fan when asked if Bernard or Washington would see more playing time. “I’m really high on [Germie] Bernard, but you know how they are with rookies. I think he’s gonna be worked into the lineup a little bit slower, and I think he’ll probably be a guy you see a lot more in October and November and December than September”.
He concluded that Bernard would be a guy who plays “later rather than sooner”.
A second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Germie Bernard has generated plenty of positive reports. He seems to have the right demeanor and the work ethic that goes along with it. While he has no one physical attribute that will blow you away, his complete body of work is—well, complete. More so, one could argue, than Roman Wilson, who has spent most of his career on the bench.
“I think it might be a big opening for Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington and some other people”, Fittipaldo said about what a slow-roll introduction of Bernard into the offense would mean for Wilson. “I don’t know that Roman is gonna be a bigger part of the offense, even if he plays well. I think that’s gonna be Bernard. They have options with all their tight ends. They can get away without playing a No. 3 receiver a lot”.
Fittipaldo isn’t alone in thinking that, despite the high publicity of the No. 3 WR battle between Bernard and Wilson, the Steelers might lean more on 12, 21, and 22 personnel. Mark Kaboly also recently predicted the same outcome, and it shouldn’t be surprising. More teams are leaning into offenses that run with two tight ends, and the Steelers are paying a pair of them eight-figure salaries. They just signed Darnell Washington to a robust contract extension this offseason, under Mike McCarthy’s watch, so he’s obviously on board.
As much as anything, that means the Steelers can afford to be patient. They don’t have to feel pressure to rush Germie Bernard into a bigger role than he might be prepared for. If they have other personnel groupings in which they can thrive, they can lean on their top wide receivers instead. There will be a time for the rookie—and for Roman Wilson—but it doesn’t need a timeline.