Chicago Bears: Homer Could Play Cohen Role, But Better

New Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer could play a similar role that Tarik Cohen played before getting injured. However, he has the skills to be even better.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has been busy overhauling the roster. He used the nearly $100 million cap space to add players who can make the team more competitive.

Poles added at least 10 new players to play key roles in the 2023 season. On paper at least, the team that takes the field this year should be a lot better than the one that won three games in 2022.

Last season, the Bears had the best rushing attack in the NFL. Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery gave Chicago a solid duo. Of course, Justin Field’s historic running was the anchor of the running game.

This season, the Bears want to continue to have success on the ground. However, they want a little different approach. While Fields was an electric runner, the team doesn’t want him to take as many hits. He missed two games due to injury and at times late in the season he looked a step slower.

Poles allowed Montgomery to leave via free agency. He is now a member of the NFC North rival Detroit Lions. Poles turned around and signed D’Onta Foreman and Travis Homer.  Foreman will join Herbert as the traditional backs.

Homer will give the Bears options

Homer is a different story, however. He came over from the Seattle Seahawks. He was mainly a special teams standout. However, he helped in a number of other areas.

Homer could play the role that former Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen played. Cohen was kind of a gadget player for the offense. He was an excellent receiver out of the backfield. He also lined up as a slot receiver. Additionally, he was able to run jet sweeps.

Homer has the same abilities as Cohen. He also is an effective pass-catcher out of the backfield. Furthermore, he is an excellent outside runner and is more quick than fast. He eludes would-be tacklers as well.

Where Homer differs from Cohen is his ability to block. Cohen was a very undersized running back. He was 5-foot-6 and weighed 190 pounds. Because of that, he was unable to play a physical game. He played like his hair was on fire so he could avoid hits. He certainly wasn’t giving out too many hits himself.

Homer is a very good blocker. He is 5-foot-10 and weighs 205 pounds but plays bigger. He gets in there and hits people. Seattle used him a lot on third downs. He either stepped in and blocked effectively or he made a big catch to extend a drive.

While Homer won’t be a main piece of the running game in terms of just running, he will be a big part of the offense with the limited number of snaps he will play. He will give offensive coordinator Luke Getsy more options. The more options there are on offense the better the results.

Losing Montgomery was a blow to the offense. However, signing Foreman and Homer on economical deals helps the Bears keep the things that Montgomery did. They’ll still have a good blocking running back, one who could be a traditional back, and one who is good at catching out of the backfield.

Homer will do the grunt work in the offense. He will get down and dirty and do whatever the team needs to get the job done. He will work hard and be a popular player among the fans.