Aaron Rodgers has spent two decades elevating receivers, but rookie wideouts have notoriously struggled to find success with him. Germie Bernard is hoping to become the exception in his lone season with the future Hall of Famer.
Bernard explained what it’s been like playing with Rodgers in a recent interview.
“This is his last year. He’s finna tear it up for his last year,” Bernard said via Bigtime Talks with Johnathan Hankins on YouTube. “He’s elite, bro. Being around him, bro, you really gotta lock in with everything. But he’s also gonna help you get better. He’s gonna teach you everything. He gonna help you be on the same wavelength he is.”
Rodgers has played with several great receivers throughout his career. Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams are just a few examples of slower starts that later turned into 1,000-plus yard receivers with Rodgers. Like Bernard, all three of them were second-round picks.
Just ask Roman Wilson how tough it can be to earn the trust of Rodgers. In his second season, Wilson struggled to see the field and was effectively replaced by former Rodgers teammate Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the depth chart.
Though history points to a troubling trend for Bernard, the last rookie receiver Rodgers worked with broke the trend. Christian Watson caught 35 passes for 611 yards and seven TDs as a rookie. Bernard likely won’t need to be featured as much as Watson was that year, but he can still make his mark.
Unfortunately for Bernard, he gets one shot at working with Rodgers before the vet QB calls it a career. Then Bernard may spend the rest of his early years bouncing from quarterback to quarterback as Pittsburgh scrambles to find its next franchise leader.
That’s why maximizing this opportunity is so important. The lessons Bernard learns from Rodgers now could shape the rest of his career.
In a sign of what’s to come, Rodgers was frequently challenging Bernard throughout the spring. He rose to the occasion with an impressive showing at OTAs.
Perhaps fittingly, Bernard even chose to wear No. 17 in honor of Davante Adams, one of Rodgers’ greatest targets.
Pittsburgh traded up to draft Bernard in the second round with expectations that he could contribute now. Historically, rookie receivers have struggled to earn Rodgers’ trust, making Bernard’s challenge even greater. If he can become the exception, Pittsburgh will know they chose the right guy.
Recommended for you