Report: Pittsburgh Steelers signing RB Trey Sermon

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing running back Trey Sermon, Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reported Sunday. Sermon, 26, is joining the Steelers on a one-year deal.

Sermon spent the past two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, rushing for 319 yards on 91 carries, to go along with two touchdowns. The former Ohio State standout was originally selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco sent him packing after his rookie season, and he soon found a home with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles waived him in September 2023; the Colts signed him less than a week later. Now, he’ll look to crack the Steelers’ 53-man roster and provide depth to their running back room.

That room will look a bit different this season, with Najee Harris signing with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. Jaylen Warren is back and joining him atop the depth chart is 2025 third round pick Kaleb Johnson.

Trey Sermon joins new-look Steelers RB room

Johnson finished his Iowa career with 2,779 rushing yards, ranking him sixth in school history, just behind Akrum Wadley. He became just the fifth player in Hawkeye football history to have two 200-plus yard rushing games.

Johnson broke out as a junior this past season. He tallied 1,725 all-purpose yards and 23 total touchdowns in 12 games. Johnson touched the ball 262 times and did not fumble once. Johnson ranked second in this year’s tailback class in breakaway yards (861) and fourth in yards after contact (1,060). He also ranked third in the country (28) with designed rushing attempts of more than 15-plus yards.

“Excited about getting Kaleb Johnson in here,” offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said. “Really explosive running back that we spent some time with on a 30 visit here. One of the more instinctive backs that I’ve watched in a couple of years coming out of the draft. Perfect fit regardless of whatever run scheme you’re running. He ran multiple at Iowa.

“Really impressive as a volume runner as the game went on, and one of the more impressive stats you’ve seen is the fourth quarter — what he averaged in the fourth quarter. I believe it was over five yards per carry. Might have been closer to six. We think he’s a great culture fit. Obviously extremely fired up to get Kaleb in here.”