Shortly after losing their starting running back, the Bears have added at the position. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Chicago has agreed to a deal with running back Travis Homer. Homer got a two-year deal worth a maximum of $4.5MM, per Schefter.
[RELATED: Lions To Sign RB David Montgomery]
David Montgomery started 43 games for the Bears over the past three years, including 16 starts in 2022. However, the former third-round pick left for the Lions earlier this evening, opening up a significant spot on the depth chart.
Homer shouldn’t be expected to carry the load in Chicago, but he’ll provide the coaching staff with some dependable depth at the position. The former sixth-round pick has seen time in 49 games for Seattle over the past four seasons. He had his best season in 2021, finishing with 338 yards from scrimmage. He followed that up with a 2022 campaign that saw him compile 231 offensive yards and one touchdown.
The Bears probably aren’t done adding at the position, but it’s noteworthy that they didn’t look to immediately replace Montgomery with another big name. This bodes well for Khalil Herbert‘s ability to earn the starting gig in 2023. The former sixth-round pick has been productive in his three starts over the past two years, topping 100 yards from scrimmage in each of those contests.
In Seattle, the Seahawks will be eyeing a slightly different RB depth chart in 2023 with Homer gone and Rashaad Penny joining the Eagles. The Seahawks will surely be looking for some additional depth behind Kenneth Walker and DeeJay Dallas.
Great special teams player and a good 3rd down back who pass protects good
All we are missing now is 6 nfl caliber defensive lineman a right tackle and a center, so glad our 4th running back is locked up
So they should not have signed him? You think the few million per year they are paying him is preventing the Bears from signing anyone??
I love what Poles is doing. He’s being really smart. This is good planning. He went for it day 1. He’s watching for bargains day 2. Now, He’s sitting back and watching who these cash strapped teams are signing and sees an opportunity. These teams have to be cap compliant by Wed. Why they’re all trying to trade guys. Watch and see who’s cut, And swoop in for what you want. He still has 35 million( He has to save 10 million to sign the draft picks) So some bargains to be had. Plus he can still clear more cap space by restructuring and cutting deadwood. Jackson could be restructured and Whitehair, Patrick and Semian could go fairly easily. Still things to be done, I’m cool with everything done so far.
An additional $9.9M will be available June 1 with Whitehair’s post-June1 release, which is a near lock move after signing RG Nate Davis for that amount. Jenkins takes over at LG next to Braxton Jones, giving the Bears a near best run-blocking left side in the NFL.
Center options: a 6th rounder to the Colts for Ryan Kelly seems like a smart use of their cap space. Then, they can spend their 3rd rounder on a Luke Wypler or Joe Tippman giving them a great mix of experience and young upside up the middle.
Davis a RG primarily and they’re still talking about signing Semualo from the Eagles. 2 new G’s and Whitehair, Patrick and Semian gone which saves 15 million or so. Semualo probably will cost about the same as Davis so net gain about 8 million.
Great signing by the Bears! Homer fills Montgomery’s role in the passing game, especially blocking or serving as an outlet for Fields. Plus, he moves Khalil Herbert off special teams, upgrading it significantly imo.
I would love to see the Bears spend their first pick on Bijan Robinson, who would make their skill position group among the best in the NFL, a shocking turn of events for the Bears, setting them up for a huge turnaround.
A truly dangerous runner like Robinson added to Herbert & Fields would make their run game really dangerous. Plus, the added run threat would open up space for their WR/TEs. Imagine the Bears having a screen game again with Bijan…yikes!?!
As much as I would love that scenario, there may be just too many holes still to fill on both lines for them to pass on a sure fire starter at O tackle or D tackle/edge. They passed/missed on the top guys in FA so far and Poles is a big draft guy. The good news is that the RB class is pretty deep. We’ll see!
I agree rondon. There are a lot of good RB’s who will be available later. My sentimental favorite would be Chase Brown with the first pick in the 3rd round. He can run and catch and is a willing blocker who they can probably make better. It would be awesome if the Bears could get both Brown brothers as Sydney could replace Jackson someday. Sydney Brown and Brisker would be an awesome combination. I think those 2 2nd round picks should be DL, If not the first 3.
Most years I would totally agree with you both, and I too love Chase Brown @ #103. However, Bijan could be a transcendent RB and maximize skill position support for Fields. He’d draw so much attention that it would open up their passing game (hesitate the pass rush, open up middle of field & deep).
Granted, in my scenario it would be possible to move back in the first and land Bijan, not necessarily at #9. I fully expect Poles to trade back from #9 on draft day, adding one more 2nd-3rd and something for 2024. Maybe #12 to Texans if 4th QB there at 9, then again to PIT at #17. Be a player Poles!
Second round starters plentiful at DT, DE, RT, C and TE.
I would not be surprised at all if Poles trades back again from 9.
The game begins and ends with the guys in the trenches (O and D lines). As much as it will not be sexy picks like at WR, or RB I see the Bears going for the O line or D line and can see them trading down if they think they can get ‘their guy’ lower in the 1st round.
I agree with the first paragraph. Would it be great to see Bijan in a Bears jersey? Sure, but we have too many holes to use a 1st round pick on a RB. We can get a difference making RB in the 3rd round too in the form of Zach Carbonnet or someone else. We need premium offensive and defensive line help. You take a RB that high if he’s the missing piece, not if you don’t have anyone to block for him or to stop offenses. We have two 1sts next year, so maybe that’s the time to take the top RB in the draft.
Bijan, by all accounts, is going to be a top 5 back in the league for the foreseeable future. He will also be the best player available unless Carter falls or maybe Wilson. If neither of those or Johnson fall to 9, I think the smart move is to trade back into the mid-teens if possible to secure another 2nd round pick. Lots of value there for OT and DL. Then see who is on the board there. Bijan and JSN while luxury items could be too good to pass up there. Others to consider would be Klancy, Skoronski, or either OT named Jones. A move into the 20’s would probably reap Torrance if they don’t sign another guard. It will be fun to watch and will probably change many times depending on who they still get in FA or trade. Lots of holes still to fill but they are already way better on paper with future picks still stockpiled. Love Poles’ thought process so far.
Poles is doing a good job. He’s not panicking and letting things come to him. He’s not throwing money around. You can say what you want about Edmonds but I think that was a better signing than Roquan and if you wanted him that was the price. If the Bears sign Semualo and cut Whitehair that would be a wash this year with some dead money next year. 2 new G’s, Johnson or Skoronski at 9, Jenkins and Leatherwood and Carter as backups. Now all they need is a C and I wouldn’t sleep on Kramer. He may be sneaky good, But they can probably do better in this draft. The process is good, May not be the Wild West Show everyone was expecting but they are way better already. He obviously thinks Johnson or Skoronski would be better than Brown, and if they’re both there at 9 he might go back a little more in the draft. But I wouldn’t risk it.
Yes, it is probable they’ll use that #9, or a trade back into the teens, on a bluechip lineman, either side of the ball. Hopefully defense first.
I like the idea of trading back into the 1st round to get a bluechip prospect that falls into the early 20s, ideally Bijan or perhaps JSN.
I’ve been mocking #53, #103 & a 2024 2nd rounder to Ravens to get back into the first at 24 where they then add Bijan.
Bears still have picks #61 & 64 which can each net a quality O- and D-Lineman.
Who?
Great job again Georgie. You and your boy Poles are now 0-2
Did somebody forget to feed the troll again?
I believe the Bears hold at nine. Will draft either Skoronski or Paris Johnson to enhance the offensive line UNLESS Jalen Carter falls to them in which case I believe he will be their choice.
Already have a RB in Fields
I see the Bears drafting at least two O linemen, 2 D linemen (maybe 3 now that they have missed out on a few FA’s), an RB, and a TE (to go with Kmet). I guess the question also is, do they keep St Brown now that they have Claypool, Moore, and Mooneyas their primary WRs? That leaves a few other picks for them to go for some prospects, Maybe WR, DB and/or a LB if the right guy is there for them to ‘steal’..