Recent Steelers Signing & Third-Round Talent Facing ‘Uphill Battle’ at Camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers added multiple running backs both before and after long-time starter Najee Harris left in free agency, and one of the more underrated pickups was veteran Trey Sermon, who will be fighting for a roster spot during training camp.

Sermon began his NFL career with high expectations, as a third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, but he never developed into much more than a serviceable backup.

Of course, the Steelers could use any RB help they can get in 2025, so there’s a chance Sermon could carve out a role within Arthur Smith’s ground-and-pound offense. Having said that, The Athletic’s Pittsburgh beat reporter Mike DeFabo does not foresee it being an easy road for Sermon this summer.

“A career backup, Sermon started three games for the Indianapolis Colts last year,” DeFabo wrote on June 25, while breaking down each member of the offensive roster. “He carried the ball 56 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught 16 passes for 99 yards out of the backfield.”

“Given the depth ahead of him, [Sermon will] have an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster,” the beat writer finally concluded. Adding: “He could be a good player to stash on the practice squad.”

Can Trey Sermon Overtake Fellow Members of the Steelers RB Room at Training Camp?

OTAs and minicamp are mostly passing camps, so the Steelers’ running back competition will be really interesting to watch in late July and August — especially once the pads go on.

In DeFabo’s view, Sermon is currently behind presumptive starter Jaylen Warren, rookie draft pick Kaleb Johnson, and newcomer and returner option Kenneth Gainwell on the depth chart. He also had Sermon listed below veteran Cordarrelle Patterson, but DeFabo made it clear that Patterson is likely on his way out of town.

“Why haven’t the Steelers cut him yet?” DeFabo pondered, regarding Patterson. “Smith has a soft spot for the once-great return man, but the offensive coordinator didn’t even mention Patterson when talking about the running backs group during the offseason.”

Let’s say Sermon overtakes Patterson and fends off those behind him (ex-Colts draft pick Evan Hull and undrafted rookie Max Hurleman). In order to secure a spot on the 53-man roster, he would then only have to beat out Gainwell or force the Steelers to keep four running backs by playing well.

So, it’s definitely possible that Sermon makes a roster push. But as DeFabo alluded, he won’t be handed a spot like most free agent signings.

Evan Hull & Max Hurleman Profile as Practice Squad Candidates Who Could Push for a Special Teams Role

The two low men on the Steelers’ RB pole are without a doubt Hull and Hurleman.

Hull is a 24-year-old back who “has yet to carry the ball in the NFL and needs to star on special teams for an outside shot at the roster,” per DeFabo.

And Hurleman is a total wildcard of a flyer.

“After starting his college career at Colgate and later transferring to Notre Dame, Hurleman has experience as a receiver and defensive back but will try to make the NFL as a running back,” the beat reporter noted. “Special teams is this UDFA’s best path to a pro career.”

Unless Gainwell gets injured or is beaten out by one of these two for the returner role, it feels probable that both are mainly fighting for a practice squad role during Steelers camp.