NFL Rumors: Saints Keeping Reggie Bush?

Following their Super Bowl win two seasons ago, the New Orleans Saints decided to keep some of the big name players despite their high price tags. Reggie Bush received $8 million for the 2010 season and is set to make another $11.8 million for the upcoming season. As of now both sides have said that they’re willing to renegotiate Bush’s contract to keep in New Orleans but there has been some speculation that Bush could be released.

Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that the Saints aren’t rushing to make a decision with the hope that they’re able to renegotiate Bush’s contract.

The real question is what value would Reggie Bush have on the open market? The Saints like that he offsets players like Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory as their third-down back but these kind of players don’t make nearly the kind of money that Bush has been making. Chester Taylor signed a four-year for $12.5 million contract to be the Chicago Bears third-down back so it would be hard to imagine that teams would be willing to give Bush the kind of money that he’s been making. Bush is also an accomplished punt-returner but that still doesn’t justify an $8 million salary.

Despite using him sparingly, the Saints seem to want to keep Bush around so I’d expect a new deal to get done at some point.