Now that the Detroit Lions have officially released running back Reggie Bush, he is free to sign with any team. It’s going to be interesting to see which teams show interest in a soon-to-be 30-year-old running back with injury issues. A lack of interest in him as a franchise running back shouldn’t lead us to believe that there won’t be a market for his services.
Coming off an injury-plagued 2014 campaign that saw the former Heisman winner put up less than 300 rushing yards in 11 games, Bush is going to have to limit his expectations on the open market. He’s looking at nothing more than near the veteran minimum on a short-term deal. Fortunately for Bush, this also means that there’s not going to be a lack of interest in him.
Here are the five likeliest landing spots for the veteran running back.
San Francisco 49ers
There are rumors floating around that San Francisco will target Ryan Mathews and Mark Ingram should the team part ways with veteran Frank Gore. The idea here would be to add a veteran to back up budding star Carlos Hyde in the team’s run-first offense. Mathews doesn’t seem to be a fit as a change-of-pace back to Hyde’s down-hill running style. And while Ingram could work in that role, he might demand something near what Gore will be asking on the open market. If that’s the case, why let Gore walk in the first place?
San Francisco didn’t utilize running backs in the passing game too often under former head coach Jim Harbaugh. That’s something we can expect to change in 2015. Bush may have struggled running the ball last year (less than four yards per attempt), but he still recorded 40 receptions in 11 games. It’s that type of production in the passing game that could help Colin Kaepernick out under center. Likely to draw a paycheck of $1.5 million or less in 2015, Bush would be a solid value fit in San Francisco.
Indianapolis Colts
We all know that Andrew Luck loves to use his running backs in the passing game. This was represented last season when the Pro Bowl quarterback targeted running backs over 100 times in 16 regular season games. With Trent Richardson likely on his way out of town and Dan Herron hitting free agency, Indianapolis will be in the market for a veteran running back in addition to drafting one in late April.
As nothing more than a third-down back and someone who can provide a spark in the passing game, Bush seems like a tremendous fit in Indianapolis. It just remains to be seen whether the Colts believe he has more to offer than a player like Herron.
New England Patriots
This will depend a great deal on the market for Shane Vereen. The former second-round pick has recorded 99 receptions over the past two seasons and might draw significant interest in free agency. Further complicating things for the Patriots is the fact that Stevan Ridley is also set to become a free agent and is coming off a serious injury.
Considering that Brady targeted running backs 108 times during the 2014 season, New England will have to find an outside-the-tackles receiving threat should it lose Vereen in free agency. Strapped for cash, the Patriots may very well decide that Bush is the best veteran option. And as it relates to Bush, he’s likely going to want to join a winning franchise to close out his career.
Green Bay Packers
Much like San Francisco, the Packers could look to add Bush to the mix with a down-hill running back already on the roster. Eddie Lacy will continue to receive the bulk of the carries in Green Bay, but the team may very well decide that preserving him on third downs is the best course of action moving forward. That was evident last season when the Packers made a point of limiting Lacy’s rush attempts.
With a ton of cap room, the Packers could decide to add a higher-value running back than Bush. Though, interest in the team could be limited due to Lacy’s presence on the roster. As we mentioned above, Bush might look at catching on with a contending team, and the Packers will always be title contenders with Aaron Rodgers under center.
Carolina Panthers
Now that the team finally moved on from DeAngelo Williams, it might be time for Carolina to go out there and add some new blood. Just imagine Reggie Bush out in the flat catching passes from a scrambling Cam Newton. That has big play written all over it. With Jonathan Stewart and potentially Mike Tolbert ready to carry the rock between the tackles, Bush’s role would be specific. He’d enter on obvious passing situations throughout the game, giving him an ability to be more of a catch-first running back. This might be the most logical fit for the veteran running back.
Photo: USA Today