Bears sign former Ravens All-Pro return specialist Devin Duvernay, re-sign RB Travis Homer

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) – The Chicago Bears signed former Baltimore Ravens All-Pro return specialist Devin Duvernay to a one-year contract and re-signed running back and special teams contributor Travis Homer to a one-year deal on Wednesday.

Duvernay has 1,053 yards on punt returns and 2,162 yards and two touchdowns on kickoff returns over four seasons with Baltimore and one with Jacksonville. He also has 977 yards receiving and five touchdown catches.

A third-round draft pick by Baltimore out of Texas in 2020, Duvernay was first-team, All-Pro the following year. He averaged a league-leading 13.8 yards on punt returns, with 26 for 360 yards, and ranked seventh in kickoff return average at 24.1, with 676 yards on 28 attempts.

Duvernay made the Pro Bowl again in 2022. He was mostly a non-factor on special teams with Jacksonville last season, finishing with 19 punt returns for 167 yards and 14 kickoff returns for 351 yards, and barely played on offense. The Jaguars released him two weeks ago.

Homer has 476 yards rushing and 475 receiving in four seasons with Seattle and two with Chicago. He played in 10 games last year and recorded six special teams tackles.

Bears Add Electric All-Pro As Ben Johnson’s New Team Begins To Take Form

The Chicago Bears are once again rebuilding their roster after another losing season. Except this time the focus has been on the offensive line, with the team trading for guards, Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, and adding center, Drew Dalman, in free agency.

However, the team has still made some sparing moves at the offensive skill positions, adding former Atlanta Falcon, Olamide Zaccheaus and now, per reports, former Jacksonville Jaguar and Baltimore Raven, Devin Duvernay.

What Does Devin Duvernay Bring To The Bears?

Originally drafted in the third round out of Texas, Duvernay never managed to secure a major role on offense. However, he has become a major player on special teams as a return specialist.

With former returner, DeAndre Carter, now a free agent aged 31, the team was known to be in the market to secure a high-end returner.

After losing out to arch-rivals, the Green Bay Packers, for securing the services of former Kansas City Chief, Mecole Hardman, the Bears had to turn to alternative options.

Duvernay is certainly a good fall-back option, ranking 19th in the NFL with 167 punt return yards, and 22nd in the league with 351 yards returning kick offs.

How Will Duvernay Impact The Bears’ Offense?

It’s impossible to say for sure, but there is a chance that Duvernay could be a factor in new head coach, Ben Johnson’s offense, beyond his implicit role on special teams.

With Keenan Allen a free agent, the team has an open starting spot on the depth chart behind DJ Moore and last year’s first round pick, Rome Odunze.

At current moment it seems as if Zaccheaus and Duvernay will scrap it out for the WR3 position. Although this could be more of a symbolic trophy more than one majorly affecting individual snap counts, as Ben Johnson has famously been keen on deploying 2-tight end sets, which he did with the Detroit Lions nearly 1/3 of the time.

Zaccheaus And Duvernay Battling It Out For A Starting Role In Chicago

Zaccheaus has been the more proficient receiver over the past few years, compiling 3 x 400 yard+ receiving seasons over the past four seasons; something that Duvernay has only done once.

Moreover, Zaccheaus has proven himself in recent seasons to be a reliable #3 wideout who can operate in numerous offenses – from the Falcons to the Eagles to, most recently, the Washington Commanders.

Although Duvernay has not managed any significant offensive production over the past two seasons, he does have one thing in his arsenal that could tip the scales – blistering speed – one of the traits that makes him such a deadly returner.

Duvernay ran a sub 4.4 40 yard dash prior to the draft in 2020, and has a deep speed that no one currently in the Bears’ receiver room quite matches up to.

Perhaps with the right coaching and scheme implementation, we could see Duvernay launch a comeback year in Chicago.