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Ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent’s College in Latrobe (Penn) from July 24 through August 12, 2025, Steel City Underground presents outlooks on each positional group’s depth chart and offers insight on how those players may fare ahead of the NFL regular season.
The Steelers running backs group looks quite a bit differently headed into camp this year. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is known for preferring outside zone rushing schemes and the players Pittsburgh will have at camp fit that system more closely. Gone is Najee Harris who was more of a north-south style of running back. Although the Steelers have always prided themselves on fielding a hard-nosed run game, Smith looks to build a more explosive offense that will test opponents’ abilities to cover sideline to sideline and prevent stacking the box.
Running backs group: Evan Hull, Max Hurleman, Kaleb Johnson, Cordarrelle Patterson, Trey Sermon, DJ Thomas-Jones, Jaylen Warren
Returning rushers
Warren and Patterson are the lone returners in the running backs group from the 2024 NFL season.
Warren’s story is one of an undrafted rookie tryout player who impressed so much in Steelers camps in 2022 that he solidified himself on the season roster. Warren then established himself as Harris’ primary backup. Last season, Warren played in just 15 regular season games but still rushed for 511 yards on 120 carries for one touchdown.
What was impressive was Warren’s ability to snag 28 first downs in an offense that struggled to convert key downs numerous times. Warren also caught 38 passes for 310 yards, gaining 8.2 yards per reception.
Patterson, who joined the Steelers last season, was brought in as a wide receiver/running back. Although he wasn’t utilized nearly as often as Harris and Warren in the run game, he gave the Steelers another option by being utilized in the pass game with 12 receptions for 80 yards.
New blood, fresh opportunities
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected Iowa rusher Kaleb Johnson in the third round (their second pick in the draft). In 35 games with the Hawkeyes (22 starts), Johnson was an elusive, strong runner who carried the ball 508 times for 2,779 yards and 30 touchdowns. Those numbers made him the fifth player in school history to record two 200-plus yard rushing games. Johnson added 29 receptions for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns.
All total, Johnson logged 12 100-plus yard run games in his collegiate career.
In the spring, the Steelers signed journeyman running back Trey Sermon (San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts) to a one-year contract. Sermon, who saw injuries early in his career, found himself in a better position with the Colts last season. In four seasons, Sermon has played in 42 games with 134 runs for 505 yards and 3 touchdowns. Indianapolis got him more involved in the passing game and Sermon had 16 receptions for 99 yards. He provides NFL experience to the group and is a depth piece that could bolster Pittsburgh’s offense in Smith’s scheme.
Like Sermon, Evan Hull joined the Steelers this spring. Hull spent his first two seasons with the Colts, but an injury his rookie season and two trips to the practice squad in 2024 limited his playing time. While at UMass, Hull became a starter in 2021 and recorded 1,009 yards on the ground (6th in the Big Ten) and seven touchdowns, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. In 2022, Hull had 913 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Hull also showed good ability to catch the ball; versatility is something the Steelers like to utilize in their players.
Sermon and Hull are both in a situation where their careers in the NFL are at a pivotal point. They’ll need to stay healthy and compete to stick on the roster.
Two rookies who will need to prove themselves
Rookie Max Hurleman went undrafted out of Notre Dame (graduate season) after five years at Colgate University. Hurleman is versatile, having played wide receiver and running back before switching to defensive back in 2024. His biggest asset may be as a special teams returner. During the entirety of his collegiate career, Hurleman was a returner who earned All-Patriot League fist team honors in 2023.
The only true fullback, DJ Thomas-Jones (Ole Miss, South Alabama) was seriously injured in his first season but, after utilizing the transfer portal, was a fullback and receiver that played in 26 games. His challenge with the Steelers will be showing capability in effective run-blocking a special teams play.
Assessment
Last season, the Steelers rostered just five running backs. They did the same in 2023. If trends continue, it’s likely Pittsburgh will do the same in 2025.
While Warren looks like a lock, the battle to be his backup is likely to be one to watch at training camp. Johnson could outperform Patterson and Harmon considering his high performance in an outside zone offense.
That leaves Hull, Hurleman, and Thomas-Jones competing to find a roster spot. Hurleman may have the X-factor with his success as a returner.
Steelers RB Depth Chart: Training Camp Outlook appeared first on Steel City Underground.