Under Mike McCarthy, the Pittsburgh Steelers have made a dedicated stance to changing their roster this offseason. While every year features new names in and old names out, it feels like Pittsburgh has left no stone unturned in making this roster new.
This didn’t just happen at the top of the roster either. Travis Homer was brought in to potentially aid the running back room as a depth piece.
While that is his natural position, the real value he brings to the Steelers is on special teams.
Despite an obvious role for the team, his roster spot isn’t secure. In fact, it feels like his chances of making the team are a total coin flip.
Travis Homer has no say in his Pittsburgh Steelers roster odds
While a back-of-the-roster running back and core special teams player has immense value, it is a replaceable role.
The issue is less what Homer brings to the table and more due to the general makeup of the roster around him. The running back room has two key young names in it that are vying for a spot.
Kaleb Johnson was taken in the third round just a year ago. A bad first season has him on the rocks already. The real issue now is that his best shot is making the team as a third running back with minimal special teams value.
Eli Heidenreich is the new kid in town, and he brings along a unique skill set. The expectation is that, in addition to his offensive ability as a receiver and runner, he can also be a core special teams player. Of course, he has to prove that first.
Both Johnson and Heidenreich need to prove their value before locking them into a roster spot. Even if one does, the team could still keep four running backs, keeping the door open for Homer.
The issue for the new Steelers running back is that there isn’t anything he can realistically do in camp that can change this. He is such a known commodity, which gives him a clear path to the roster but an uncertain one.
A lot of things need to go in Homer’s favor to keep him around. It starts with the other depth running backs being lackluster, as well as special teams needing to keep him around.
The Steelers overturned their special teams’ depth chart in addition to the rest of their roster. That means Homer can slot in as an option if no one else steps up.
To be clear, there is an obvious path for Homer to make the team. The value on special teams is obvious. However, in order for him to make the team, it will take numerous other players struggling to stick around in 2026.
His chance of making the roster is no longer up to him. He needs other names to fall apart before he can safely be counted on to make this team.
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