Improving the offense seemed like a mission impossible for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Every time the franchise seems to be taking a step forward, an odd decision pops up and makes fans question the progress. The second round of the 2026 NFL Draft was no different. Omar Khan’s front office worked diligently to fill a much-needed roster hole.
But the price to fix a glaring issue is too rich for my pockets.
A trade with the Indianapolis Colts gifted Pittsburgh the 53rd overall selection. They used it to draft Germie Bernard, but it came at a cost. The Steelers dealt the 53rd, 135th, and 237th picks to complete the deal. In my eyes, that is a steep price to pay, even for a player with Bernard’s upside.
Do not get me wrong, Germie Bernard fits well in Pittsburgh.
He is dynamic with the ball in his hands and has an abundance of physical strength. He also plays with a level of toughness and versatility that translates immediately to a slot role. Bernard is also reliable, leading the Alabama Crimson Tide in receptions (84) last season. It is why I believed his selection could help uneasy fans buy into Khan’s still blurry vision for the offense.
Still, giving up a fourth- and seventh-round pick to make it happen is something that could come back to haunt this front office. Depth matters, especially for a team with multiple holes to fill. Hopefully, this decision does not become one of those “what if” moments we look back on months from now.
The Pittsburgh Steelers took an calculated gamble to select Germie Bernard during Day 2 of NFL Draft
On the bright side, the front office finally invested in a trusted skill player with tremendous upside.
That deserves a small round of applause. Even better, they managed to hold on to all three third-round picks in the process, which keeps some flexibility alive moving forward. It is a tight deal that gives Mike McCarthy’s offense a legitimate piece to build around.
But again, instead of costing one selection, it turned into a three-pick casualty.
That may not seem like a big deal to some, especially those who believe Pittsburgh can still address its remaining needs before the draft wraps up Sunday night. However, quarterback, cornerback, and linebacker are all positions that could use serious attention. Now, Khan has to be even more precise with how he navigates the board. There is less room for error.
I will give credit where it is due. Pittsburgh was aggressive.
They moved up and made sure they landed their guy, and in doing so, they helped solidify a wide receiver group that now has real potential. But it is hard not to think about how things could have played out differently. If the same level of aggression had been used to secure Makai Lemon or even Jordyn Tyson earlier, Friday night might have had a completely different tone.
Still, Max Iheanachor remains an honest investment, and the trio of DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., and Germie Bernard carries a high ceiling. That group alone is worth being intrigued about as the offense continues to take shape.
Pittsburgh has to move smarter from here. They addressed the offensive line and added a wide receiver, but there is still work to do. The foundation is forming, but it is far from complete.
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