Washington Redskins Showed Interest in Reggie Bush Prior to Signing

Reggie Bush signed a nice deal with the Detroit Lions during the week, but it wasn’t before a few teams showed an interest in signing the running back first. The Arizona Cardinals were the other favorited landing spot for Bush as were the Miami Dolphins but a fourth team apparently showed a secret interest in Bush and it may give some insight into how they’re going to approach things in 2013.

The Washington Redskins reportedly had an interest in signing Reggie Bush before he was inked by the Lions, and while he would have fit the system as a change-of-pace back, the Redskins already have a guy on their roster that supposedly fits the bill. Roy Helu is coming off of a severe turf toe injury, but if he’s healthy he is expected to take over the change-of-pace role in the backfield.

At least, that was the thought.

"The Redskins, according to the person with knowledge of the negotiations, had expressed some interest in the free agent running back, who had been with the Miami Dolphins most recently after beginning his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints.–Washington Post"

The Redskins couldn’t afford Bush, which doesn’t bode well for Helu’s future with the team if that’s the only reason Bush wasn’t offered a contract from Washington. The market for running back has dried up and it wasn’t all that plentiful to begin with, so Washington’s hands are tied when it comes to whether or not they plan on using Helu in 2013.

But as was clearly demonstrated by the Redskins’ interest in Bush, don’t take solace in the fact that you’re the only option on the roster. The Redskins dug deep into the draft last year to find Alfred Morris and they may do the same thing again to grab an Eddie Lacy, Montee Ball or any number of college backs to play change-of-pace man in place of Helu in 2013.