After weeks of speculation that he could be dumped in a cost cutting move this offseason, Mike Lombardi of the NFL Network is reporting that the Saints aren’t even contemplating releasing running back Reggie Bush.
Bush is set to make $8 million in 2010, which is a lot of loot for a team to spend on a part-time player. The Saints also have 21 pending free agents (18 of them are restricted) that they have to decide whether or not to bring back and an extra $8 million in salary relief could go a long way this offseason.
That said, the Saints just won the Super Bowl and Bush is good for at least 10 touchdowns a year in some capacity. As he proved against the Cardinals in the playoffs, he’s a game changer if he gets enough touches and he’s liable to take one to the house every time he gets his hands on the ball.
Teams have a very small window to win the in NFL because of the amount of turnover that occurs from year to year. The Saints already have a Super Bowl roster and while Bush will no doubt be overpaid next season, he’s still a viable commodity to New Orleans’ offense. Even though that money could definitely be used elsewhere, it makes sense that the Saints would want to hang onto Bush for one more year and make another run at a Super Bowl while they still have the talent to do so.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
