Trent Sherfield Bio
Trent Nyrell Sherfield Sr. (born February 25, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver and special teamer for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 206 pounds, he has built a steady career as a depth pass-catcher and a core member of special-teams units across multiple franchises. After going undrafted out of Vanderbilt in 2018, Sherfield has earned his roster spots through versatility, reliable hands, and a willingness to do the unglamorous work on coverage and return teams.
Born in Danville, Illinois, Sherfield has traveled a winding NFL path that has included the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, and Denver Broncos. Along the way, he has produced more than 1,000 career receiving yards and carved out a reputation as a trusted locker-room presence. His journeyman journey has taken him back to Buffalo, where he is currently contributing on both offense and special teams.
Early Life and Background
Trent Nyrell Sherfield Sr. grew up in Danville, Illinois, a mid-sized city in Vermilion County near the Indiana border. He attended Danville High School, where he was a three-year starter and a true two-way player for the Vikings. Sherfield lined up as a dual-threat quarterback on offense and as a defensive back on the other side of the ball, showing the kind of athleticism and football IQ that would later help him transition to a new position in college.
His high school play drew national attention, and Rivals rated him as a four-star recruit at safety. Sherfield chose to continue his football career in the Southeastern Conference, committing to Vanderbilt over scholarship offers from Illinois, Illinois State, Indiana, Northern Illinois, and Purdue. That decision to head south set the course for the rest of his football life.
Path to American Football
Once Sherfield arrived on the Vanderbilt campus, the Commodores coaching staff asked him to change roles. After playing quarterback and safety in high school, he was asked to focus on offense and develop as a wide receiver. The switch required him to learn a full new route tree, refine his release off the line of scrimmage, and adjust to the speed of SEC cornerbacks.
Sherfield steadily earned playing time across four college seasons. By his senior year he had grown into a team leader, serving as a captain while leading the Commodores in receiving. His strong finish in Nashville convinced NFL teams that he could stick in the league, even if he would have to do it as an undrafted free agent rather than through the draft.
Trent Sherfield Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
Sherfield signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2018. He made an early impact during the preseason, recovering a blocked punt for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys on August 23, and a week later catching two passes for 44 yards against the Denver Broncos. As a rookie, he played in 13 games with two starts, finishing with 19 receptions for 210 yards and one touchdown while contributing on special teams.
Sherfield spent his first three NFL seasons with the Cardinals, working mainly in a depth role and on coverage units. His time in Arizona was briefly interrupted in November 2020, when the team placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list before activating him a few days later. After three seasons in the desert, he was ready to test the market in 2021 free agency.
San Francisco 49ers Breakthrough (2021)
Sherfield signed with the San Francisco 49ers on March 19, 2021, looking for a fresh opportunity. He used the preseason to make his case, posting 5 receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown across three exhibition games. That production was strong enough to lock down a spot on the 49ers’ 53-man roster heading into the regular season.
His lone year in San Francisco allowed him to work within a physical, run-heavy offense while continuing to handle a heavy special-teams workload. The 49ers stint served as a launching pad, proving that Sherfield could produce in a limited offensive role and excel on coverage teams, which became his brand across the league.
Miami Dolphins Era (2022)
On March 18, 2022, Sherfield signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, joining an offense led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. He quickly earned targets in the Dolphins’ pass game and exceeded his previous career bests as a receiver. In his only season in Miami, Sherfield caught 30 passes for 417 yards and two touchdowns.
Beyond the box score, his blocking on the perimeter and work on special teams fit the Dolphins’ speed-based identity. The strong 2022 campaign set up another chance in free agency, and the veteran wideout continued to build his resume as a dependable complementary piece.
Buffalo Bills Era (2023)
Sherfield signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills on March 20, 2023, reuniting with the AFC East. He contributed as a rotational receiver and core special-teamer, with one of the highlights of his season coming in Week 18 against the Miami Dolphins. In that game, Sherfield caught his first touchdown as a Bill off a deflected pass, helping Buffalo to a 21-14 win that clinched the division title.
The 2023 season cemented his value as a player who could impact games without a heavy offensive snap count, leveraging his experience and physicality in the kicking game. After his one-year deal expired, he once again entered free agency.
Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos (2024-2025)
On March 14, 2024, Sherfield signed with the Minnesota Vikings, adding veteran depth to their receiver room. He then moved on to the Denver Broncos, signing a two-year, $8 million contract on March 13, 2025, in what was the most lucrative deal of his career. In Denver, he continued to handle significant special-teams duties while providing a veteran presence in the wide receiver group.
His time in Denver came to an end on November 15, 2025, when the Broncos waived him after signing Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Just four days later, on November 19, Sherfield was signed to the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, briefly returning to the franchise where his career began.
Return to Buffalo (2026-Present)
After a brief stop on the New England Patriots’ practice squad in January 2026, Sherfield rejoined the Buffalo Bills on a one-year contract on March 26, 2026. The signing brought him back to a familiar building where he had previously won a division title. Through the early portion of his Bills return, he has continued to operate as a special-teams anchor and a complementary option at receiver.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although the term is more common in racing, in football terms Sherfield’s strengths show up in the details: precise route running, dependable hands, and a physical, willingness-first approach to special teams. He thrives in underneath and intermediate zones, where his quickness and toughness after the catch generate extra yardage. Coaches consistently trust him on gunner and core-four special-teams units, and his veteran instincts help him win on contested catches.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Sherfield’s first NFL touchdown came as a rookie on a recovered blocked punt in 2018, and his first receiving touchdown for the Bills came on a deflected pass in a 2023 win over Miami that clinched the AFC East. He has now played for at least seven different NFL organizations, and his career statistics include 89 receptions for 1,034 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns, along with 40 tackles logged primarily on special teams.
Trent Sherfield Career Wins
While wide receivers and special teamers are not typically judged by win totals, Sherfield’s career has featured a steady stream of team and individual successes. He has been part of a 2023 Bills squad that clinched a division crown, and his most productive receiving season came in 2022 with the Dolphins. In the 2023 finale, he helped Buffalo seal a 21-14 victory that decided the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills Highlights
Sherfield’s first stint in Buffalo produced one of his most memorable career moments: a Week 18 receiving touchdown against the Dolphins that helped the Bills lock up their division. He also contributed throughout the season on coverage and return units, giving Buffalo a reliable veteran on teams. His 2026 return to the Bills added another layer of familiarity to his time in Western New York.
Other Performances
Beyond Buffalo, Sherfield posted his top yardage season with the Dolphins in 2022, recording 30 catches for 417 yards and two touchdowns. He also turned in a strong preseason with the 49ers in 2021, totaling 5 receptions for 156 yards and a score. Across his stops, he has been valued more for steady, situational play than for gaudy counting stats.
Trent Sherfield Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Sherfield is publicly known by his full name, Trent Nyrell Sherfield Sr., and his background is rooted in Danville, Illinois. He came up through Danville High School as a two-way standout and four-star recruit, and his development in a tight-knit Midwestern community shaped his hard-working approach to the game. Detailed information about his parents and extended family has not been widely reported.
Personal Life
Sherfield has kept most of his personal life private. Public records and verified sources do not confirm details about a spouse or children, and he tends to focus public attention on his football career and community work rather than family matters. He remains closely tied to his hometown of Danville, which he has often credited for his work ethic.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for Sherfield. He opened the campaign with the Denver Broncos after signing a two-year, $8 million contract in March, working primarily as a special-teams contributor and a rotational receiver. Denver eventually waived him in mid-November after signing Lil’Jordan Humphrey to assume a similar role in the offense and on teams.
Just days after being released by the Broncos, Sherfield returned to familiar ground when the Arizona Cardinals signed him to their practice squad on November 19. He then made a brief move to the New England Patriots’ practice squad in January 2026, was released, and was re-signed four days later. That whirlwind stretch of late-season transactions highlighted how his veteran special-teams value kept generating opportunities.
Looking ahead, the arc of the 2025 calendar year has positioned Sherfield for a clear 2026 outlook. With the Buffalo Bills now holding his services on a one-year contract, he projects to fill a familiar role as a depth wide receiver and core special-teamer in Western New York, where his previous experience in the scheme should help him contribute quickly.