Chicago Bears special teams take another blow as Pittsburgh Steelers add depth piece
Chicago Bears lose a key running back and special teams contributor to the Pittsburgh Steelers, raising new concerns about depth.
(Getty Images) Chicago Bears special teams take another blow as Pittsburgh Steelers add depth piece originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Chicago continues to see its roster trimmed in free agency, and the latest departure hits a phase of the game that often gets overlooked until it becomes a problem.
Running back Travis Homer is headed to Pittsburgh, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport , though contract details have not been disclosed. While his offensive production in Chicago was minimal, his impact elsewhere was far more significant. Homer appeared in 10 games last season, recording one carry for minus-2 yards.
His real workload came on special teams, where he logged 62% of the unit’s snaps and produced 10 tackles. That level of involvement highlights why his exit matters more than the stat sheet might suggest. Over three seasons with the Bears , he became a steady, trusted presence in coverage.
This move also continues a growing link between the two franchises, as Homer becomes the second Bears player to land in Pittsburgh this offseason, following safety Jaquan Brisker. For Chicago, the concern is less about losing a backup running back and more about the cumulative erosion of a unit that quietly supported multiple wins last season. Even with the addition of Kalif Raymond to help in the return game, the coverage side now looks thinner.