It took one Steelers preseason game for Germie Bernard to put Roman Wilson on notice

The Pittsburgh Steelers stepped off on the right foot with an opening preseason victory, though the game's outcome is merely a trivial detail. Rookie quarterback Drew Allar's performance is the headlining story, yet another newcomer also fared quite well in his NFL debut: wide receiver Germie Bernard.

Bernard was one of the biggest (non-Allar) takeaways. He looked the part of a potentially dynamic playmaker in his first taste of action as a pro. It's certainly an interesting development, considering signs had pointed toward the Steelers coming to terms with bringing the 2026 second-round pick on slowly.

Suddenly, Bernard has made a strong case to at least consider changing the calculus in Pittsburgh's 28-9 exhibition win over the Green Bay Packers. He hauled in four of five targets for 51 yards, 30 of which were gained after the catch, with 25 of them coming on one highlight.

Where Bernard could fit into the puzzle remains to be seen, yet more flashes like this will make him impossible to ignore. D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman are entrenched as the Nos. 1 and 2 options in the passing game and the established veterans of the group. Then there's third-year pro Roman Wilson, who's reportedly "firmly in the WR3 role in three-receiver sets," per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic ($).

However, on a night when the Steelers rested several starters, Wilson was notably among those in uniform against the Packers. He didn't make much of an impact in a limited time on the field either.

That, plus his competitors' impressive efforts, may have propped the door open for Bernard to climb the depth chart sooner than expected.

Germie Bernard quickly becomes a threat to Roman Wilson for the Steelers' WR3 job

It's unlikely that one exciting outing in a glorified scrimmage is enough for Bernard to erase Wilson's goodwill. The former will need to continue stacking days to usurp the latter, yet you have to start somewhere.

A simple checkdown to the flat on a second-and-eight play in their own territory ended with the Steelers in field goal range. Bernard flipped the field with a single grab-and-go. The combination of speed, strength, physicality, and a smooth ability to get in and out of his breaks was all on display.

Wilson has produced just 166 receiving yards and 67 yards after the catch across his first two campaigns with the Black and Gold. Yes, injuries derailed him as a rookie, but he never managed to escape from ex-head coach Mike Tomlin's doghouse.

Let's not forget those important details, even if the new staff, spearheaded by Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy, presents a fresh start.

Does Roman Wilson or Germie Bernard make more sense as the Steelers' WR3?

Seeing what you have in Wilson before he enters the fourth and final season of his rookie contract is logical, albeit to a degree. Pittsburgh has made it clear that they're trying to compete now, however, which puts him on thin ice. The No. 84 overall selection in the 2024 draft hasn't shown that he can make a meaningful contribution to a playoff contender.

Stylistically, Bernard is probably a better fit for how the Steelers want to operate. He can line up inside or outside, as evidenced by his near 50-50 route participation from the slot or out wide versus Green Bay. The 22-year-old was deployed similarly during his time at Alabama, suggesting this usage might very well stick.

Metcalf and Pittman spend the majority of their time on the perimeter. More reps for Wilson would potentially come at their expense, whereas Bernard can round out the trio.

Note: Metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus' premium stats ($).

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