Germie Bernard - , steelers Event: Media Availability | Date: 2026-09-07 | Full transcript (primary source).
On September 7, 2026, Germie Bernard addressed the media during a press conference held by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The session provided an opportunity for Bernard to discuss his preparation and experiences as the team gears up for the upcoming season.
Transcript
Bernard: I feel good, we got a great game plan. We've been banking a lot of reps. I've been getting thrown around in different positions and stuff. So I've just been taking a lot of time to study the defense. Know what different looks I'm gonna get, communicate to a rod about different things. And then when practice comes, just try to execute. And then if I have any questions I'll ask. But for the most part, it's been pretty well.
Bernard: I haven't really thought about it too much. I would just say I'm excited. I take it one day at a time. I try not to think too far ahead. And that's when doubt and worry and different anxieties and stuff start coming. So I just stay focused on one day at a time. And trying to be successful in the day I'm in.
Bernard: Yeah, I mean, just a lot of experience around the defense, so very smart. So I just know that we have to execute very well. And then when I go in, I know I have to do my assignment to the best of my abilities.
Bernard: Yeah, yeah. Early in camp, he kind of put me to the side. I was like, OK, if you're going to be out there with me, these are the things that you have to do. These are the things that you have to look for. And so like I just continue to say, when I'm on the field with him and I'm doing plays and everything like that, I'm always just asking him questions and stuff so I can be on the same page as him. And when the ball comes my way, I make the most of my opportunities. But it's been very well. Being out there with him, I'm learning a lot. I think my game has grown a lot mentally. I'm able to slow the game down and play fast how I'm supposed to.
Bernard: No, I didn't say that. Did you hear that? Somebody said it. No, I didn't hear that.
Bernard: Yeah, so the biggest thing for me is just I know that he wants guys out there that he can trust, so it's like when you make a mistake cuz nobody's gonna be perfect, when you make a mistake, you fix it and don't make it again. And so that's what I focus on. I focus on all the little critiques, all the little details, everything that he's telling me. So when I'm out there again and I have that same player, same route, I'm not making the same mistake.
Bernard: I mean, that's not really my worries. I mean, I'm really just focused on the game plan right now. And then whenever, if I go in, then I make the most of my opportunities. But it's not something that I'm worried about.
Bernard: It's very challenging, I would say. But I take it very well. I take it as a strength for the coaches to trust in me, to know all positions and play all the positions. So for me, I just take a lot of time to make sure that I'm studying, make a lot of time that I'm walking through the plays, I'm knowing my assignments. It just creates more opportunities when you're able to be moved around, different positions, it gives you more opportunity to get on the field.
Bernard: No, definitely not. When you have a game plan, it's not like you're throwing in the whole offense. So I mean, you're able to really lock in on all the details. And so I mean, that's what I do. I mean, I took a lot of time throughout this offseason to know each and every position that took a lot of time studying and asking questions, being with the coaches. So I'm pretty confident in what I do and when I step on the field and knowing my assignments.
Bernard: I mean, he just tells us we just have to continue to come in every single day and work how we're supposed to. We know what is at hand, we know the scheme that they're gonna run, we know what's ahead. So I mean, we just have to worry about us. We can't worry too much about the other team. We have to know what we can do and what we're able to do. We have a lot of great guys, we have a great coaching staff. And so we're just mainly just focused on us and being able to execute. Cuz if we don't execute, then it makes the other team look like they're doing all the heavy lifting. But I think if we just continue to focus on us, the game will go how we want it to go.
Bernard: Yeah, Aaron Rodgers always says, know who you are, know your strengths. So when you're watching tape, you can look for those opportunities. So I know what my strengths are. And whenever I get the ball in my hands or whenever I get the opportunities, I turn those opportunities into a positive. So that's what I just focus on.
Bernard: Yeah, I think as a pro athlete anybody's very critical of themselves. I hold myself to a high standard because I know what I can do. I know how I can produce. And so for me, it's just like being my biggest critique. No coaches and stuff, they're gonna coach you up in everything. But if I can be my biggest critique, it'll take me a long way. It'll help with the coaches' trust and everything cuz they see how hard I work, how hard I am on myself, and how I wanna be the best that I can.
Bernard: Two more, please.
