The Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves in the thick of a hectic offseason starting in January, as they had to assemble an entirely new coaching staff. Following that, the team made a flurry of moves in free agency that helped to round out their roster ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. A recent interview from the high school coach for one of those draft selections is encouraging -- adding even more optimism to an improved roster overall post-draft. One of the big takeaways is that the Steelers got a star on and off the field.
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Former Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard speaks to the media following a loss in the Rose Bowl.
In the recent interview with TribLIVE.com, Rich Muraco spoke glowingly of wide receiver Germie Bernard, the 47th overall pick by Pittsburgh. Muraco is a long-time coach of Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada. Some of the comments he made about Bernard indicate that the Black and Gold avoided one big character flaw by selecting Bernard that they have seen from past wide receivers.
“He loves everything about football,” Muraco said. “The meetings, the studying, the grind that is football. I think that’s important. He’s going to be a guy that goes to work and works. He’s not a prima donna type receiver. He wants to win and be the best version of himself.”
A prima donna is exactly what the team needed to avoid to round out their wide receiver room, highlighted by Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf. In past years, the franchise has found itself some stars, notably in wide receivers like Antonio Brown and George Pickens. However, both of them found their careers in the Steel City ending in the same fate, parting ways due to the typical diva behavior seen by a lot of star wide receivers around the NFL.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver Antonio Brown sits out during a game.
Bernard appears to be the exact opposite of those types of players, especially based off this interview with his high school football coach. Bernard is also a guy that is known to be very big on his faith, something that can be humbling for players of his potential. While Brown and Pickens had some eye-opening explosive plays and great production on the field, their off-field behavior became far too detrimental to the success of the team and forced their exits from the organization.
Steelers Have A Chance To Change Narrative With Bernard Selection
Bernard so far has impressed off the field, appearing to be a polar opposite of past wide receivers that have caused issues off the field that hindered the success of the team. Bernard, who was drafted out of the University of Alabama, followed his college coach Kalen DeBoer there when he departed following the 2023 season from the University of Washington.
His most productive season in college came at Alabama in 2025, where he had 64 receptions for 862 yards and seven touchdowns, good for 13.5 yards per catch. He also showcased his versatility in 2025, rushing the ball 18 carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, which was good for a 5.6 yards per carry average. Bernard should be a great fit with the Steelers, given that Pittman and Metcalf are two big-bodied wide receivers, and Bernard has the play-making ability to keep the opposing defense honest by being a threat underneath.
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Steelers' new wide receiver Germie Bernard scores a touchdown as he walks into the end zone during the SEC Championship Game with Alabama against Georgia in 2025.
The former Alabama standout has said all the things that any front office would want to hear thus far. Now it is up to the franchise to keep his head on straight while also developing him at the pro level and turning him into the star that many think he can be in the NFL, including legendary wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. While that still has to play out in Pittsburgh, it appears they will be able to change their narrative at the wide receiver position with the Bernard selection.
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