3 things we learned about Bills LB Terrel Bernard in the first episode of "Inside the Charge"

Oct 20, 2023 at 10:08 AM

Patrick Warren

Contributing Correspondent

Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard is in just his second year in the NFL but his maturity and dedication has already landed him a starting spot at the middle linebacker position.

Bernard joined Bills multimedia journalist Maddy Glab in the first episode of Inside the Charge, a brand-new Bills podcast and video series.

Click here to watch on the Bills YouTube Page.

Inside the Charge takes you beyond the gridiron and behind-the-scenes with Bills players, influencers, national analysts, and more as we focus on the fun — from pop culture and fashion, to personal stories, you'll get to know the Bills and members of Bills Mafia like never before.

Bernard, a former third-round pick, has already had been a standout contributor on the defense six games in with two sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. His 57 tackles lead the Bills defense going into Week 7.

Being just 24 years old and calling a defense in the pros is no small task, and Bernard has benefited from spending hours in the film room and speaking with older players who have helped him adjust to life in the league.

Here are three takeaways from Maddy's conversation with the Bills linebacker.

1. Veteran leadership has paid dividends

Starting the first five games of the season next to 2022 All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano, Bernard had the chance to learn alongside one of the best linebackers in the game last season as a backup.

"It started last year with Matt. I was backing him up and learning the position and learning the defense as a whole," Bernard said on "Inside the Charge."

Led by coach Bobby Babich, the linebacker room has grown close over the course of the season. Tyrel Dodson competed with Bernard for the starting spot opposite Milano during training camp, and the two were able to bond throughout. Dodson, who is in his fourth season in Buffalo, has helped Bernard prepare for his starting role.

"Tyrel has been great helping me out, he's been here for a long time and really knows the system well," Bernard said. "And then obviously Bobby has been incredible. He's super detailed and does a really good job of breaking it down to where we can understand it."

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2. Routine is everything

The average week in the life of a starting linebacker is jam-packed with meetings, lifts, film sessions, practices and, of course, games. In order to prepare for each week, Bernard meets with assistant strength and conditioning/performance development coach Will Greenberg to attack each week as efficiently as possible.

"I work with Will Greenberg a lot and he's helped me shape how I want to level my days and how I want to fix my mindset and really focus on how I want to get better every single day," Bernard said.

With no practice on Monday and Tuesday, Bernard maximizes any free time, spending it meeting with his coaches and teammates and watching film of the opposing offenses in preparation for the upcoming game.

Friday, which typically ends earlier than Wednesday and Thursday's practices, provides Bernard with another opportunity to grind film and mentally prepare for Sunday's defensive game plan.