Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers fans are quickly figuring out why Alabama always went to Germie Bernard in key moments the last two seasons:
He's ultra reliable and tends to make plays when you've got to have them.
He did that on Sunday in the Steelers' come-from-behind win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Pittsburgh entered the fourth quarter trailing 16-3, but they stormed back to tie the game and send the game into overtime. In the extra period, Bernard found the perfect time to reach the endzone for the first time in his NFL career.
He caught a short pass from Rodgers and fought his way into the endzone for a six-yard touchdown that proved to be the game-winner in the Steelers' 26-19 victory:
Germ! Extension! Six! @oti_germie pic.twitter.com/6AZHDzh8uT
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 18, 2026
After the game, Rodgers offered significant praise to his rookie WR:
"There comes a time when the confidence starts to match the potential, and I think we're reaching that time with Germie. Very proud of him," Rodgers said, via Mike DeFabo, a Steelers beat writer for The Athletic.
Germie Bernard's quick NFL success is not a surprise for Alabama fans
Bernard was Alabama's best and most reliable WR in his two seasons in Tuscaloosa after transferring from Washington to join Kalen DeBoer. He put up 1656 yards and nine touchdowns during his time with the Crimson Tide, consistently coming up clutch in key moments.
He scored the game-winning touchdown to beat South Carolina on the road last season, and he came up with a contested catch against Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff that helped seal the game, just to name a couple.
There's a reason Rodgers already trusts Bernard enough to put the ball in his hands with the game on the line. Bernard lives for those moments.
After a slow start out of the gate, Bernard is getting comfortable, and Rodgers is trusting him more and more. Over the last two weeks, Bernard has caught 17 passes on 21 targets for 167 yards and a touchdown.
He followed up a nine-catch, 80-yard performance in a win over the Indianapolis Colts last week with 11 receptions for 87 yards and the game-winning touchdown against the Bucs.
Bernard is now Pittsburgh's third-leading receiver behind only DK Metcalf and RB Jaylen Warren. He's up to 227 yards on 24 receptions. His role is continuing to grow. It's rare for Rodgers to trust a rookie as much as he's trusting Bernard, but the former Tide star has quickly earned it.
A second-round pick back in April, Bernard is becoming one of the most impactful rookies in the NFL.
Add us as a preferred source on Google