After release from Detroit Lions, what's next for Reggie Bush?

The Detroit Lions basically chose Theo Riddick over Reggie Bush on Wednesday.

The Lions cut Bush and his $3.5 million base salary for 2015, according to multiple reports, opting to go with the cheaper and younger Riddick in the role Bush had with the Lions. And now what for Bush, who will turn 30 on March 2?

Running backs usually don't have much of a market into their 30s, and Bush had just 297 rushing yards in 2014. Bush had a 3.9-yard average, his lowest since 2008. Even assuming Bush finds another opportunity, it's unlikely he'll ever reach the NFL stardom he seemed destined for when he was dominating at USC.

Bush was the No. 2 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2006, and it was a major controversy that he wasn't No. 1. Mario Williams surprisingly went first to the Houston Texans. A running back hasn't gone in the first round in two straight years, but most people figured Bush would go first overall nine years ago. He was a special talent.

He has been good in his nine NFL seasons, but not great. He never had more than 1,086 rushing yards or six rushing touchdowns in a season. He was, however, a very dangerous receiver out of the backfield and that's the role he settled into. That's not what you generally expect from the second pick. He was part of the Saints' first Super Bowl championship team at the end of the 2009 season but wasn't a big factor in the NFC championship game or the Super Bowl that season. In those two games combined he had 12 carries for 33 yards, and six catches for 71 yards. That sums up his NFL career in a way.

Bush will probably be better known for his college greatness (and there's no doubt about his legend on that level), although he had occasional NFL highlight plays that reminded you of him weaving through defenses when he was a Trojan.

Bush still has a chance to add to his NFL accomplishments, but it won't be in Detroit. It probably will be in a part-time role as a weapon in the passing game out of the backfield. That's what he has done best in his NFL career, and he has been good at it. Back in 2006, however, we expected a lot more out of his time in the pros.

- - - - - - -

Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab

from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1JNAQy2