Last week running back Reggie Bush was released by the Detroit Lions. Bush appeared in 11 games this past season for the Lions as he only tallied 297 rushing yards and 253 receiving yards. Bush was the second overall pick of the 2006 National Football League Draft by the New Orleans Saints. And during his time in New Orleans, Bush would help the Saints win the Super Bowl in 2009. But for some people Bush has never lived up to the lofty expectations that were placed on him when he came out of the University of Southern California.
Reggie Bush
Bush initially won the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s top player in college football in 2005 only to return it in 2012 as he was deemed as an in eligible player due to receiving impermissible benefits. Bush’s speed and elusiveness made him tough to tackle in college which hasn’t been as easy for him since arriving in the NFL. But during Bush’s time in New Orleans, Saints head coach Sean Payton did a good job of maximizing his ability as receiver coming out of the backfield along with being deadly in open space. For his nine-year NFL career, Bush has been a good receiver coming out of the backfield as he has gained 3,498 yards receiving.
Bush will be 30-years old tomorrow, but he doesn’t have a ton of mileage on him as an NFL running back being that he has only had three seasons in which he has carried the football more than 200 times. Bush still has speed along with being a smart football player which will make him a valuable player on the open market by NFL teams that are looking to contend next season and here are some teams that could benefit from his services in 2015.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys will do everything in their power to re-sign running back DeMarco Murray who is coming off of a career year with 1,845 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns which both led the National Football League. Bush cannot match Murray’s rushing ability, but he can be a complimentary running back to him while also giving Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo another viable option in passing situations.
New England Patriots
Fresh off of winning the Super Bowl last month, the New England Patriots will be in the mix to contend once again next season. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady doesn’t shy away from spreading the football around to running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends which was evident in Super Bowl 49 where running back Shane Vereen had 11 receptions for 64 yards. Vereen and running back Stevan Ridley are both unrestricted free agents and if their asking price is too high for Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, I would not be surprised to see Bush on New England’s radar.
Seattle Seahawks
In 2003, current Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll won a recruiting battle to get Bush to attend USC during his time there as the head football coach. Carroll and Bush enjoyed a ton of success together at Southern California where they won a national title together in 2003. Under Carroll, the Seahawks have athletes at every position and he loves to have depth. Make no mistake about it that running back Marshawn Lynch is still the heart and soul of the Seahawks offense, but this past season illustrated a glaring weakness for Seattle on offense which is a lack of breakaway speed from players at the skill positions which Bush still possesses. Bush could be vital to the Seahawks in passing situations; especially when teams are worried about the scrambling ability of quarterback Russell Wilson.
San Diego Chargers
Last season the San Diego Chargers were 30th in the National Football League in rushing offense which is a good reason why they failed to make the postseason. Running back Ryan Matthews is an unrestricted free agent who hasn’t lived up to expectations for the Chargers during his time there as he has failed to remain healthy. Bush has had durability concerns himself during his NFL career, but he is a native of the San Diego area and it would be a nice homecoming story for him.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are still a bit ticked off after their loss in the NFC Championship Game to the Seattle Seahawks this past January as they simply gave the game away. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the reigning NFL MVP who makes the players around him ascend to another level with his leadership. The Packers already have a bruiser at running back Eddie Lacy and their home run threat at wide receiver in Jordy Nelson. But the Packers could use another running back on third down that could catch the football out of the backfield which is a void that Bush could fill.
Indianapolis Colts
In spite of finishing 22nd in rushing in the National Football League this past season, the Indianapolis Colts still navigated their way to the AFC Championship Game. Running back Trent Richardson led the Colts in rushing this past season with just 519 yards. Richardson has fallen out favor with the Colts front office and I doubt that he’ll be back in Indy next season. In two seasons with the Colts, veteran running back Ahmad Bradshaw has failed to remain healthy and off-the-field issues could mark the end of his time in Indianapolis. The Colts are making a mistake by putting too much on the shoulders of Andrew Luck and he needs more play makers around him if the Colts are going to be serious contenders for the Super Bowl.
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