During an extensive Friday press conference that touched on a broad range of issues, Saints G.M. Mickey Loomis was asked whether tailback Reggie Bush will be back in 2010.
“Yes,” Loomis said of Bush in a transcript distributed by the team. “He’ll be back and he’ll be back at his current salary.”
In 2010, Bush’s salary shoots from $2.585 million to $8 million.
It is, in our view, a move that has more to do with business and less to do with football. It can’t be about football, because Bush doesn’t bring $8 million worth of football value to the table. Indeed, if Bush is worth $8 million as a matter of football value, then Darren Sharper should get $14 million in 2010. Drew Brees? $25 million.
No, this is about maintaining the Bayou post-Super Bowl buzz, about selling jerseys, about keeping the fans from engaging in an all-out revolt.
Four years ago, the selection of Bush with the second overall pick in the draft brought hope to all of New Orleans, hope that culminated last month in a Super Bowl win. Though the Saints likely would have won the Super Bowl without Bush, he is tied to the team and the team cannot dump him.
The situation will get even more interesting in 2011, when his salary jumps to $11.8 million, and when a salary cap quite possibly will return. And when the Saints may not be riding the waves of an NFL title.