Travis Homer was once a backup running back for the Seattle Seahawks, but that wasn't where his real value lay. He called the plays on special teams, and he broke off surprising fakes that delighted 12s at times. Now, though, Homer will be moving to the third team in his career and will have a reunion with DK Metcalf with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Homer is leaving the Chicago Bears, his team of the last three seasons, to go to the Steelers. Pittsburgh fans might not be moved much by the acquisition, but if the running back reverts to the form he had in Seattle on special teams, the Steelers are getting a winner.
In the 2019 NFL draft, Homer was a sixth-round pick out of Miami. He was never expected to start or get a bunch of carries at running back, but he made himself into one of the kind of players, much like Jake Bobo has done recently for Seattle, that every team needs.
Former Seattle Seahawks special teamer Travis Homer reunites with DK Metcalf with the Pittsburgh Steelers
The running back would do the dirty work that must be done. He became so good on special teams that the Seahawks trusted him to call pre-snap alignments, helping the team have one of the better third phases of the game. Plus, he scored a couple of unexpected touchdowns.
One came on a faked punt when Homer took the snap and ran 73 yards for a TD against the San Francisco 49ers in December 2021. Earlier in the same season, he returned an onside kick by the Jacksonville Jaguars 44 yards for a touchdown.
After four years, he left for the Bears and a hefty pay raise. Now, he is with the Steelers and back with Metcalf, with whom Homer played from 2019 through 2021. Seahawks fans might feel conflicted. The running back was an overachiever, seemingly thankful for any day he got to play professional football. The wide receiver no longer wanted to play for Seattle.
Metcalf was reported to have asked to be traded from the Seattle Seahawks several times. Finally, last offseason, he was. Were the Seahawks worse not having the mercurial Metcalf? Not at all. Seattle went on to win the Super Bowl the season after giving the receiver to the Steelers for a second-round pick.
Those 12s who still have a soft spot in their hearts for Travis Homer should wish he does well with his new team. Meanwhile, on the same team, many Seattle fans might hope the Steelers lose because of DK Metcalf.