At long last, the initial jersey numbers for the new rookie class of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been released.
The list of new jersey numbers featured some surprises, including top-selling Drew Allar wearing No. 16 and wide receiver/return specialist Kaden Wetjen wearing No. 42, those the latter has said his number is temporary.
Among the ten new jersey numbers is wide receiver Germie Bernard, who is slated to wear No. 17 for the Steelers. Bernard was taken in the second round of last month’s draft, a day after the Steelers lost out on Makai Lemon in the first round when Philadelphia leapfrogged them to take the USC product.
But despite missing out on taking a wide receiver in the first round, the Steelers still invested a premium pick at the position. They traded up to 47th overall to take Bernard out of Alabama, making Bernard the highest the team has selected a receiver since Santonio Holmes at 25th overall back in 2006.
Bernard represents the rare breed of receivers selected near the top of any given draft by Pittsburgh. He’s coming to a team that has desperately needed stronger depth at receiver after two seasons of lacking players behind George Pickens in 2024 and DK Metcalf in 2025.
But he’s also now assigned to a number that has a bit of a cursed history. Those who have worn No. 17 for the Steelers have largely had short, staggered careers in the Steel City. Can Bernard buck the trend?
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