Travis Homer

Homer signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract with the Bears to provide running back depth behind D'Onta Foreman and Khalil Herbert. Once Chicago spent a fourth-round pick in this year's draft on Roschon Johnson, the overall pecking order at the position has even more question marks. During his four years in Seattle, Homer never had more than 25 carries or 16 receptions in a season. However, he was often used on passing downs, so he could carve out a role as a change-of-pace option with his new squad. It's unclear if coach Matt Eberflus will have four RBs available on game days, so one of Homer or Johnson could be a healthy scratch, barring absences in the group.

Heading into the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, Homer isn't a lock to make the 53-man roster after the Seahawks selected Kenneth Walker in the second round of April's draft. Homer handled a career-high 171 offensive snaps last season, and his role won't grow in 2022 with Walker onboard and Penny coming off a late-season breakout. However, Homer's special-teams ability and pass-blocking prowess were enough to secure a depth spot now that Chris Carson is heading to retirement.

Compared to his rookie year, Homer took on an increased role in the Seahawks backfield last year, averaging 3.5 YPC on 25 rushes while catching nine of 10 targets for 90 yards and his first career touchdown through the first nine games. The 2019 sixth-rounder missed the second half of the season due to a myriad of injuries, but he'll be ready for the season opener. His role on offense once again will be minimal as long as Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny stay healthy, and Homer will need to battle DeeJay Dallas for the No. 3 role in training camp.

Homer was selected by the Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and projected as a special-teams asset behind Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny, both of whom suffered season-ending injuries between Weeks 14 and 16. The Seahawks opted to bring back Marshawn Lynch to fill the void, but Homer managed to showcase his explosiveness and pass-catching abilities over the final five games, including two playoff contests. Carson should be ready for Week 1, but Penny likely will need until October to hit full speed. That should leave a handful of touches for Homer early on, but the addition of 2020 fourth-rounder DeeJay Dallas damages any certainty.

Homer was efficient in college, averaging 6.0 YPC in his senior season, but he punched it in the end zone just four times in 13 games. The Seahawks took a sixth-round risk on the unproven back because Homer has encouraging athleticism, with a 4.48 40-yard dash along with a 39.5-inch vertical jump. He enters a crowded backfield with Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny leading the way, and C.J. Prosise and J.D. McKissic bringing pass-catching abilities, so Homer figures to top out as a reserve running back with special-teams duties.