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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the 10 worst free-agent signings in franchise history

By Peter Panacy

ST. LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 1: Reggie Bush #23 of the San Francisco 49ers is carted off the field after being injured in the second quarter against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on November 1, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 1: Reggie Bush #23 of the San Francisco 49ers is carted off the field after being injured in the second quarter against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on November 1, 2015 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Reggie Bush #23 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before their game against the Minnesota Vikings during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 14, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Reggie Bush #23 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before their game against the Minnesota Vikings during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 14, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 9: Running Back Reggie Bush

Signed in 2015 to a one-year, $2.5 million contract

While not as lucrative a contract as the one given to Malcolm Smith, former 49ers running back Reggie Bush makes this list because of his prior hype than anything else.

Entering 2015, Bush’s accolades from his heyday years with the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions had began to wane. He suffered an injury-plagued 2014 season, which forced the Lions to move on. Yet somehow, San Francisco convinced itself it would be a good idea to bring Bush aboard after losing all-time great, Frank Gore, in free agency entering 2015.

And $2.5 million for a then-30 year old still seems odd, at best.

The former second-overall NFL Draft pick of the New Orleans Saints appeared in just five games for the Niners that year, managing just eight rushes and four receptions before suffering a torn meniscus in Week 5 against the St. Louis Rams, where he slipped after running out of bounds and subsequently crashed into a wall.

Yeah, the Bush signing is one San Francisco probably wishes it never made.