Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Germie Bernard, 22, recently humorously remarked that his new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, 42, "might be older than my mom." Bernard made the comment on the "Not Just Football with Cam Heyward" podcast. Rodgers is entering his 22nd NFL season, which he has confirmed will be his last.
Bernard, a second-round pick in the NFL Draft, is aiming to establish a role in Rodgers' offense. Despite the importance of team chemistry, Bernard quipped about the significant age difference between himself and the veteran quarterback. Rodgers, who is 42, has stated that there is "zero debate" about his decision to retire after this season.
Rodgers indicated that he had considered retiring after the previous season but decided to play one more year after speaking with his wife and the team's new head coach. "Well, we'll see if it works out. And then it kind of all came together," Rodgers said.
Bernard acknowledged experiencing some "anxiety" while playing with Rodgers due to not wanting to make mistakes, but he also expressed enjoyment in learning from one of the league's most accomplished quarterbacks. "He's just teaching me the game. He's giving me all the knowledge he knows about the game," Bernard said.
Rodgers has publicly supported Bernard, praising his potential during training camp. "I think he's got a really bright future," Rodgers stated. He emphasized the mental aspect of the game, noting that players perform better when they have a strong grasp of the offense. "Germie just needs to learn the offense inside and out. When he does that, he has a lot of great physical traits. He can get his feet in the ground quickly. He's very sudden. He's got natural hands."
Rodgers added that Bernard's positive attitude, approach, and practice habits are "phenomenal." Bernard has previously credited his parents for instilling a strong work ethic, which he highlighted in an Instagram post in April 2023, stating, "Today I want to give a shout-out to my Mom and Dad, who made a BIG difference in my life by showing me what hard work is supposed to look it. I wouldn't be where I am without him!"
