The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran running back and special teams player Travis Homer, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The move deepens the running back room following Kenneth Gainwell's exit and Rico Dowdle's signing. It places added pressure on second-year back Kaleb Johnson, who struggled in his 2025 rookie season.
On March 23, 2026, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers are signing Travis Homer, a former Seattle Seahawks sixth-round pick (2019, Miami FL) and recent Chicago Bears special teamer. Rapoport tweeted: 'The #Steelers are signing former #Bears and #Seahawks RB and special teamer Travis Homer, source said.' Homer played primarily on special teams with the Bears over three seasons, logging 582 special teams snaps and 87 offensive snaps. In 2025, he had 163 special teams snaps (63% of the Bears' total), seven career carries there including one for -2 yards, and one kick return for 29 yards. With the Seahawks, Homer had 83 carries for 453 yards and one touchdown, 52 receptions for 464 yards and two touchdowns, plus 18 kick returns for 444 yards and one touchdown, including a 44-yard score in 2021 against Jacksonville. The signing addresses Steelers special teams needs after losing captain Miles Killebrew to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and under new coordinator Danny Crossman. Kaleb Johnson, a 2025 draft pick expected for immediate impact, instead struggled. He managed 51 offensive snaps (25 after Week 6), 28 carries for 2.5 yards per carry, two first downs, and a 25% success rate—last among running backs with 25-40 carries. A Week 2 kickoff blunder against the Seattle Seahawks, where he let a bouncing kick pass him leading to a touchdown, ended his returner role. With Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle ahead, Homer's 49 career tackles and over 1,300 special teams snaps since 2019 challenge Johnson's roster spot.