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Bears Add Pass-Catching Running Back

After losing David Montgomery to the Detroit Lions, the Bears signed Seattle reserve back Travis Homer to a two-year contract.
Gene Chamberlain|
Bears Add Pass-Catching Running Back
Bears Add Pass-Catching Running Back

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Chicago Bears

The Bears quickly answered their loss of David Montgomery in free agency by signing little-used Seattle Seahawks backup running back Travis Homer.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the signing per Homer's agent, Spencer Cannold. The deal could top out at $4.5 million total for two years.

Homer has been largely used as a third-down back and ran only 83 times in his four seasons and showed good breakaway speed with a 5.5-yard average, gaining 453 yards overall. He has just one rushing TD. That was aided, greatly, by one 73-yard run he made in the 2021 season.

Homer is 5-10, 202 pounds, 22 pounds lighter than Montgomery, and was used extensively as a receiver. Considering his lack of overall playing time, he was very productive in the passing game with 52 receptions for 464 yards, an 8.9-yard average. He has two TD receptions.

The Seahawks drafted Homer in the sixth round, 204th overall, in 2019 out of Miami (Fla.).

He's been dogged by injuries the last two seasons. He played just 10 game last year due to a stint on injured reserve with a rib injury. In 2021, he had calf and knee injuries but played in 14 games.

This might not be the only Bears move at running back with so many available in free agency, and they could be bringing him in to compete with Trestan Ebner for the third spot or could even draft a running back.

Homer also has been used as a kick returner and averaged 24.7 yards on 18 returns, including a touchdown return of only 44 yards on an onside kick in 2021.

Returns weren't the only contribution he made on special teams. Last year he made eight tackles and a forced fumble on kick and punt coverage.

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.

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