Steelers Now
Steelers rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard recently shared his early impressions of playing with future Hall of Famer and four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, and one thing quickly became clear: there’s a different standard when you’re catching passes from Rodgers.
Appearing on the Big Time Talks podcast with veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins, Bernard spoke at length about his new quarterback.
“He’s finna tear it up this year. He’s elite, bro.”
“Being around him, bro, you really gotta lock in with everything. He gonna teach you everything. He gonna help you be on the same wavelength that he is.”
Bernard’s comments are interesting because they emphasize just how different it is playing with Rodgers compared to most NFL quarterbacks. At 42 years old, Rodgers may not possess the same elite arm talent that made him one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation, but his ability to process defenses, recognize coverages, and communicate adjustments before the snap remains among the best in football.
Steelers tight end Darnell Washington, along with several of Rodgers’ former teammates, has also spoken about the amount of signals, audibles, and subtle adjustments that go into playing with him. Every route, every alignment, and every detail matters.
For a young receiver, that can be both a blessing and a challenge. Learning from one of the sharpest football minds the game has ever seen is an incredible opportunity, but Rodgers also demands precision. If you’re not completely locked into your assignment, it can quickly cost you his trust.
That was widely believed to be one of the reasons Roman Wilson struggled to gain momentum last season, while veterans like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen consistently found their way back onto the field. Rodgers has always valued reliability, and receivers who think the game the same way he does tend to earn opportunities.
Bernard’s early comments are encouraging for multiple reasons. Not only does he still view Rodgers as an elite quarterback, but he also already understands the level of mental preparation required to play with him. If Bernard can prove early that he can consistently be on the same page as Rodgers, he and Michael Pittman Jr. could finally give the Steelers the reliable receiving depth they’ve been searching for in recent years.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Germie Bernard Reveals What Makes Aaron Rodgers Different
