Seahawks Free Agent Primer: Will Travis Homer Return to RB Room?
On the heels of a surprising 9-8 season that culminated in an unexpected playoff berth, the Seattle Seahawks have plenty of roster questions to address heading into another important offseason as they continue their quest back to Super Bowl contention.
When the new league year opens on March 15, Seattle will have 23 players scheduled to hit the market as unrestricted free agents. Three players will be restricted free agents and five will be exclusive rights free agents, while several other key veterans such as linebacker Uchenna Nwosu will be entering the final season of their respective deals ready to negotiate extensions.
Over the next several weeks, we'll break down each and every one of the Seahawks' unrestricted free agents by revisiting their 2022 seasons, assessing why they should or should not be re-signed, breaking down an ideal contract and making an early prediction on whether or not the player will return in 2023.
Following a second straight season hampered by unfortunate injuries, will the Seahawks retain Travis Homer to resume his role as third-down backfield specialist and special teams dynamo?
Season In Review
Back healthy after dealing with calf and knee issues in 2021, Homer opened his fourth season as Seahawk seeing the bulk of third down snaps behind starter Rashaad Penny. But injuries struck again after only three games as he landed on injured reserve and missed three games with bruised ribs. Upon his return, aside from a spot start against the Panthers in Week 14, he primarily played on special teams, registering eight tackles and a forced fumble on kick and punt coverage. He finished the season on injured reserve for a second time with an ankle injury, wrapping up the campaign with 19 carries for 74 yards and 16 receptions for 187 yards and a touchdown.
Why Seattle Should Re-Sign Him
When healthy, Homer has been one of Seattle's most productive and consistent special teams performers and has shown a penchant for clutch plays in the third phase of the game. In 2021, he ripped off a 73-yard run on a fake punt against the 49ers and returned an onside kick for a touchdown. Last season, he forced a crucial fumble on punt coverage to help set up a touchdown for the Seahawks in a Week 8 home win over the Giants.
Along with being an elite special teams contributor, Homer has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the better pass protecting backs in the league. On 140 pass blocking reps in four seasons, he allowed 15 pressures and a sack, excelling at picking up blitzes and bringing the fight to bigger defenders in the pocket. He also has been a reliable receiver, snagging 52 out of 61 targets for 464 yards and a pair of scores in his career.
Why Seattle Should Let Him Walk
Weighing under 205 pounds, Homer doesn't fit the typical physical prototype Seattle has preferred at the running back position and though he bulked up some over the previous two seasons, running between the tackles isn't his strong suit. He's been at his best as a perimeter runner and generating missed tackles hasn't been his forte, as he only averaged three missed tackles forced per season according to Pro Football Focus.
Away from not being an overly effective runner in Seattle's scheme, Homer hasn't been able to stay on the field in recent seasons. In addition to missing seven games with two separate injured reserve stints in 2022, he also sat out 11 games in the previous two seasons due to knee and calf problems. Missing a quarter of possible regular season games thus far, durability is a major concern for him moving forward.
Ideal Contract
One year, $1.1 million
Prediction
In terms of value, Homer eclipses his pedestrian stats due to his effectiveness executing the dirty work as a stellar pass protector in the backfield and do-it-all special teams maestro. Coach Pete Carroll has often cited his underappreciated contributions and for a franchise that emphasizes little things that don't show up on a box score, he's the type of player Seattle tends to gravitate to filling out its roster. On a veteran minimum deal, potentially with playing time or production incentives, re-signing him wouldn't be a bad move.
With that said, the 2023 NFL Draft features a loaded stable of versatile ball carriers, including several viable third down alternatives. Likely to find a similar or superior back after the third round in April and armed with plenty of draft capital, the Seahawks could add another playmaker at the position who would be under club control for four seasons on a cheap rookie contract. While Homer could be back because the coaching staff holds him in high regard, it seems more plausible the franchise will seek a replacement through that avenue instead.
Previous Seahawks Free Agent Primers
Rashaad Penny | Poona Ford | Austin Blythe | Cody Barton | Geno Smith | Bruce Irvin | Phil Haynes | Marquise Goodwin | Nick Bellore
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