The Pittsburgh Steelers signed wide receiver Germie Bernard and running back Eli Heidenreich to four-year rookie contracts on Monday. The moves leave only third-round quarterback Drew Allar unsigned among the team's 2026 draft class.
Bernard, selected 47th overall after a trade-up, will earn roughly $10.6 million over the deal with a $4.2 million signing bonus. The former Alabama receiver is expected to compete for the No. 3 wideout role behind Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf.
Initial reactions on X to the Steelers signing Germie Bernard and Eli Heidenreich focused on the completion of rookie deals for most of the 2026 draft class, noting Drew Allar as the lone unsigned player, alongside positive mentions of the newcomers in recent OTAs.
Steelers sign two more offensive rookies in Germie Bernard and Eli Heidenreich as only Drew Allar remains unsigned.
— Steelers Wire (@TheSteelersWire) 19 Mei 2026
📸 Kevin C. Cox, Patrick Smith/Getty Images https://t.co/uQL33SBTSn pic.twitter.com/pe9Ebnnjwh
The #Steelers have signed seventh-round pick Eli Heidenreich and second-round pick Germie Bernard to their rookie contracts.
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) 18 Mei 2026
#Steelers have agreed to terms with 2nd round pick Germie Bernard and 7th round pick Eli Heidenreich
— Steelers Network (@SteelersNetwork) 18 Mei 2026
The Steelers signed 2nd-round pick WR Germie Bernard and 7th-round pick RB/WR Eli Heidenreich to four-year rookie deals.
— Shelby Cassesse (@ShelbyCassesse) 18 Mei 2026
Drew Allar hits Germie Bernard with a completion during day 1 of #Steelers OTA’s
— Steelers Blitz (@Steelers_Blitz) 18 Mei 2026
Eli Heidenreich in at running back
pic.twitter.com/fY3VZ0CiAr
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The Pittsburgh Steelers traded up six spots in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard with the 47th overall pick. Pittsburgh sent picks No. 53, 135 and 237 to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for No. 47 and No. 249. Bernard adds versatility to the Steelers' revamped receiving corps.
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded up to select Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard 47th overall in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL draft analysts Todd McShay and Steve Muench endorsed the choice on The McShay Report, calling Bernard a reliable and productive player. The pick comes after the team missed out on Makai Lemon in the first round.
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Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo believes second-round draft pick Germie Bernard holds the edge for the team's WR3 role heading into training camp.
The Pittsburgh Steelers capped the 2026 NFL Draft—hosted in their hometown—with the 230th overall pick, selecting versatile Navy running back Eli Heidenreich, a Mt. Lebanon native and lifelong fan. The pass-catching back, likened to ex-Steelers standout Kenneth Gainwell (lost to free agency), joins a crowded backfield with Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, and Kaleb Johnson.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up the first week of the 2026 NFL free agency period with several roster moves, including trades and signings to bolster their offense and defense. They acquired wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and signed cornerback Jamel Dean, while losing speedster Calvin Austin III to the New York Giants. The team also received a salary cap credit of over $3.65 million for 2026.
CBS Sports analyst Ryan Wilson ranked the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 NFL Draft class 30th among all 32 teams, assigning it a C+ grade. He praised wide receiver Germie Bernard as the best route runner in the draft and cornerback Daylen Everette as the best value pick. The ranking placed the Steelers just ahead of the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars.
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Chris Simms believes Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard could quickly win over fans with his versatile and gritty play style. The analyst highlighted Bernard's potential during his Unbuttoned podcast. Simms envisions creative uses for the second-round draft pick fitting Pittsburgh's physical football culture.