Tag: Travis Homer

Bears all out of running backs vs. Commanders

The Bears running backs room has taken a hit against the Commanders.

The Chicago Bears have been plagued with injuries all season, which carried into Thursday night’s game against the Washington Commanders.

The Bears’ running back group suffered some huge blows in the game, including the losses of Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson.

Herbert suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter when he bent back attempting to catch a pass from quarterback Justin Fields. While Herbert did go back in the game, he collapsed on his first attempt after and left the field. He’s officially questionable to return.

Johnson suffered a concussion in the first half. He went back in the locker room and was soon ruled out for the remainder of the game. Travis Homer, who’s primarily a special teamer, was also deemed questionable to return with a hamstring injury.

D’Onta Foreman is inactive for this game, which means the Bears are down to just fullback Khari Blasingame in the run game. Well, and Fields.

Bears 2023 training camp preview: Running backs

Our next preview ahead of Bears training camp is running back, which looks to be the most intriguing position battle on the team.

Chicago Bears training camp is less than a month away, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.

We’re unveiling our Bears 2023 training camp position previews, where we’re breaking down every player by position and examining the biggest question facing the group.

Up next is running back, a position that looks drastically different than it did a year ago. Khalil Herbert is now the top rusher entering camp, but a few new acquisitions will be pushing him for touches.

The Bears signed veteran D’Onta Foreman in free agency and drafted Roschon Johnson, each looking to become the bell cow back in 2023.

Here’s a closer look at the Bears’ running backs heading into training camp:

Bears RB Khalil Herbert working to fix his biggest weakness

Pass blocking has been an area of concern for Khalil Herbert since he became a Bear. But he’s working to fix that this offseason.

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Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert is superb when it comes to carrying the ball. Despite only appearing in 13 games last season and playing second fiddle to David Montgomery, Herbert rushed for 731 yards and four touchdowns on just 129 carries. He’s a threat to break off a big run anytime he touches the ball.

When he’s not getting the ball and is asked to protect the quarterback instead, he’s been a liability. But with a new opportunity in front of him, that’s something Herbert is looking to fix this offseason.

Herbert spoke with reporters on Wednesday during the Bears’ organized team activities (OTAs) and discussed how he’s looking to elevate his game. In a question posed by the Chicago Sun Times’ Mark Potash, Herbert revealed he has been training this offseason to specifically improve his pass blocking and how that factors into winning the starting running back job. “You got to be an every-down back so that’s a big part of it,” Herbert said. “That’s something I’ve worked on throughout this offseason. I don’t know compared to the other guys but that’s something that I’ve been working on to fix.”

The third-year running back detailed his training methods to improve in that area, which focused on boxing. “Punching bags, boxing, I did boxing this offseason just to work on my punch timing. Different things like that.”

Since coming into the league, Herbert has rotated with Montgomery in the backfield, but also saw limited opportunities due to those deficiencies. With Montgomery now gone and veterans D’Onta Foreman and Travis Homer, along with rookie Roschon Johnson in the mix, Herbert has a chance to take control of the top running back spot. To do that, though, he needs to show his blocking is improved.

The Bears struggled mightily to contain pressure in 2022, surrendering 58 sacks in total, third-most in the league. While he wasn’t the main culprit, Herbert’s struggles with pass blocking played a role in some of those sacks.

His issues didn’t end on offense though. Herbert also had problems blocking on special teams with his worst moment coming against the Miami Dolphins when he missed a defender that led to a blocked punt and a touchdown.

There’s no denying Herbert’s skills as a runner after what he has shown since coming into the league. But to take that next step and become an every-down back, his blocking needs to improve. The fact it’s been a focus of Herbert’s offseason workouts is encouraging for his development.

NFL Free Agency: Where each departing Seahawks player signed in 2023

Here is where all 14 Seahawks free agents who signed with other teams ended up.

14 players who were on the Seahawks roster last season remain free agents as NFL teams head towards mandatory minicamp. About the same number of Seattle’s free agents this year have managed to find new teams, though.

Here is where the Seahawks’ 14 free agents who signed with other teams ended up.

One thing to love about each of the Bears’ free agent additions

From Tremaine Edmunds’ youth to Andrew Billings’ technique, here’s one thing to love about each of the Bears’ 2023 free agent signings.

The Chicago Bears have added 11 significant additions to their team in free agency this offseason. Chicago had the most cap space in the NFL to spend, and general manager Ryan Poles made good on that, using that money to start to fill holes with young talent.

Key additions in Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards will help fix the holes created at linebacker when the Bears traded away Roquan Smith last season.

Whether it’s a new starter or a depth player, these 11 additions all bring something exciting to the 2023 roster. Here’s one thing to love about each of the Bears’ free-agent additions.

2023 Bears free agency: Contract details for new players

Here’s a look at the basic contracts for the Bears’ new additions through the first wave of free agency.

The first couple of weeks of free agency are in the books, and the Chicago Bears have added a handful of new players to the roster.

While Bears general manager Ryan Poles invested a lot into the linebacker position, he also negotiated some bargain contracts for starters and depth pieces.

Still, the Bears are sitting in a great position with the salary cap. They still have around $38 million in available cap space — most in the league — to make additional moves in the later waves of free agency and for the upcoming rookie draft class.

Here’s a look at the basic contracts for the Bears’ new additions during the first wave of free agency:

Note: New details will be added as they become available.

Grading the Bears’ signing of RB D’Onta Foreman

D’Onta Foreman gives the Bears a solid replacement for David Montgomery with more production and at half the cost.

The Chicago Bears have a new running back who is looking to earn the starting job this year. The team signed former Carolina Panthers running back D’Onta Foreman to a one-year contract, who will compete with Khalil Herbert for touches in the offense.

Foreman was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft after a decorated collegiate career at Texas. After a solid start to his rookie season, injuries and work habits sidelined him for nearly two years and he was released prior to the 2019 season.

He found new life with the Tennessee Titans in 2021, filling in for Derrick Henry after he suffered a foot injury and had a career year with the Carolina Panthers last season following the Christian McCaffrey trade. Foreman rushed for 914 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, with five touchdowns. The majority of his production came after Week 6 where he had five 100-yard games.

Foreman now joins the Bears with a chance to earn the starting job away from Herbert. Regardless of the outcome, though, his presence will benefit the offense and fills the void left by David Montgomery and then some. Here is our initial grade of the signing.

Breaking down every Bears move through first wave of free agency

From signings to trades, here’s a look at every move the Bears made through the first wave of free agency.

The Chicago Bears have made a slew of moves through the first wave of free agency, including the addition of some impact starters and one blockbuster trade involving the No. 1 pick.

So far, Bears general manager Ryan Poles has addressed concerns at linebacker, defensive line, wide receiver and running back. And he’s far from done.

Poles has mentioned in the past that he’s a big proponent of the second and third waves of free agency, where he’ll be able to address depth concerns with more favorable contracts in the coming weeks.

With that in mind, here’s a look at every move the Bears have made through the first wave of free agency:

Bears GM Ryan Poles sounds off on free agent signings

Bears GM Ryan Poles shares his thoughts on Chicago’s new signings, including Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards.

The Chicago Bears have made their first signings official through the first wave of free agency, which included filling some starting jobs and adding some depth pieces.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles has officially added six new faces to Chicago’s roster since the start of free agency, including linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, as well as guard Nate Davis, defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker, running back Travis Home, quarterback PJ Walker and defensive tackle Andrew Billings.

Here’s what Poles had to say about his first wave of free agent signings (note: Andrew Billings signing hasn’t been announced yet.)

Grading the Bears’ signing of RB Travis Homer

Travis Homer won’t be much of a threat in the running game, but he could be invaluable as a pass blocker and on special teams.

Running back was the focus for the Chicago Bears on Tuesday evening. After they said goodbye to veteran David Montgomery, who signed with the Detroit Lions, they agreed to a deal with former Seattle Seahawks running back Travis Homer. The deal is for two years worth up to $4.5 million.

Homer comes to the Bears after four seasons in Seattle as a reserve running back and special teams contributor. In 2022, he totaled 74 rushing yards on 19 carries, as well as 16 receptions for 157 yards and one touchdown. On special teams, Homer had nine tackles and one forced fumble. For the time being, he’ll slot in behind Khalil Herbert in the running back rotation.

The move to bring in Homer wasn’t a home run like many expected (pun intended), but will he be a significant contributor on Sundays this season? Here is our initial grade of the move.