Steelers Now
When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed running back Travis Homer to a one-year deal in free agency, fans checking the stat sheet might have been underwhelmed. Over the last three seasons with the Chicago Bears, Homer logged just seven carries.
But judging Homer by his offensive touches completely misses the point.
The Steelers did not sign the 27-year-old to push for reps in a crowded backfield. They brought him in to do what he does best: dominate on special teams. Over his last three seasons, Homer racked up 582 special teams snaps compared to just 87 on offense.
Pittsburgh faces a major reloading project on its coverage units after losing key depth pieces this offseason. Head coach Mike McCarthy values reliable, gritty diagnostic skills on fourth down, and Homer brings exactly that with 46 career special teams tackles, a forced fumble, and a kick-return touchdown under his belt.
Beyond coverage, the 5-foot-10, 202-pounder offers intriguing utility under the NFL’s dynamic kickoff rules. His background as an explosive, one-cut runner at the University of Miami makes him a viable, physical return option.
Homer said at OTAs, “They got to know they have to come through me,” when asked about his mentality on special teams coverage.
Homer is an elite space player who thrives in the game’s third phase. If he can stay healthy and anchor Danny Crossman’s coverage units, he won’t need a single carry to become one of the most valuable offseason additions on the roster.
Acquired: The Steelers signed running back Travis Homer to a one-year contract on March 24, 2026, during the free agency period. Homer, a seven-year NFL veteran, spent his first four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before playing the last three seasons with the Chicago Bears. Selected in the sixth round (204th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami, the 27-year-old native of Florida is expected to primarily compete for a core role on coordinator Danny Crossman’ s special teams coverage and return units.
Last Year: Homer appeared in 10 games for the Chicago Bears during a 2025 campaign heavily disrupted by a calf injury that landed him on injured reserve for the first five weeks of the season, followed by an ankle issue late in the year. He was non-existent on the offensive side of the ball, registering just a single rushing attempt for minus-2 yards and zero targets in the passing game.
However, his primary value remained anchored on special teams. Homer logged 10 total tackles on coverage units for Chicago while playing almost exclusively on special teams upon his return in mid-Oct..
Pro Career: Selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round (204th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft, Homer spent his first four professional seasons in the Pacific Northwest. While primarily utilized as a third-down back and special teams ace, he logged his first career touch in unique...
