The San Francisco 49ers have had a lot of draft success, finding gems in all rounds, but the franchise also has its fair share of misses in recent years. One of the team’s recent misses was running back Trey Sermon, whom the franchise selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Four years later, Sermon is far removed from San Francisco.
The running back only played his rookie season with the 49ers, carrying the ball 41 times for 167 yards and a touchdown in nine games. San Francisco then released him after his second training camp with the team in 2022. That led to Sermon spending the 2022 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, and the last two years with the Indianapolis Colts.
Now, Sermon is signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as training camp approaches, and he will try to establish himself with Pittsburgh in 2025.
Former 49ers running back Trey Sermon will battle for a spot on Steelers roster
During his time with the Eagles and Colts, Sermon had just 93 carries for 338 yards and two touchdowns in 33 games. With that production, he isn’t joining the Steelers with the strongest reputation. As he tries to carve out a role for himself, it doesn’t help that Pittsburgh’s running back room is somewhat crowded.
Najee Harris is no longer around, but the Steelers still have Jaylen Warren. The team also drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft and signed Kenneth Gainwell this offseason. Entering training camp, Warren and Johnson are expected to be the duo that will power the backfield.
That means Sermon will have to compete with Gainwell for the third running back spot.For Sermon to make the roster, he will have to prove his value as a potential rusher, but also as a special teams player.
Still, it will be an uphill battle for him to make Pittsburgh’s active roster.
