With rookie minicamp wrapped up and OTAs starting later this month, veteran running backs such as former 49er Jeff Wilson's chances to sign with a new team are dwindling.
There hasn’t been much movement in the free-agent running back market, which was expected as this year’s RB draft class was outstanding from a talent and value perspective. However, we did see one veteran running back get signed over the weekend.
Former Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers after participating in their rookie minicamp, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Sources: The #Steelers are signing RB Trey Sermon to a 1-year deal.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 11, 2025
Sermon spent the past two seasons with the #Colts, totaling 258 yards and 2 TDs last year. pic.twitter.com/p5i3Nsw6HA
This is great news for Sermon, who will get to compete for a spot on the Steelers’ 53-man roster this summer. However, for older veteran running backs like the 29-year-old Wilson, he’ll likely have to wait a little longer to sign somewhere.
Sermon has the edge over Wilson in the age department, as the former is 26. Also, Sermon was slightly more productive in Indianapolis than Wilson was with the Miami Dolphins last season.
Sermon, another ex-49er running back, had 159 rushing yards and two scores on the ground on 56 carries (17 games). Meanwhile, Wilson posted 57 rushing yards on 16 carries in nine games with the Dolphins.
The 29-year-old Wilson has struggled to stay healthy over his 2.5-plus seasons with Miami. In 2023, the former 49er was placed on injured reserve with a midsection and finger injuries, which led to him missing six games and not making his debut until Week 7.
Wilson finished that season with 188 rushing yards on 41 carries. Then in 2022, Wilson was playing good football at the start of the year with the 49ers, racking up 468 yards and two TDs on 92 carries in eight games (six starts).
However, the 49ers sent the veteran running back to the Dolphins ahead of the trade deadline, where he had 392 yards and three touchdowns on 84 attempts in eight games. Wilson is a solid running back who can provide some depth as an RB2 when healthy.
In San Francisco, Wilson dealt with the injury bug, missing eight games at the start of the 2021 season because of a torn meniscus in his knee. He also missed four games in 2020 because of a calf strain and a high ankle sprain. But despite missing those games, Wilson still turned in 600 yards and seven touchdowns on 126 carries.
With names such as Nick Chubb, Gus Edwards, JK Dobbins, and Ezekiel Elliott still unsigned, Wilson might be in that next tier of RBs, who won’t sign until closer to training camp in July.