by Tony Renteria

SANTA CLARA–Last week after much speculation and talk, former USC running back Reggie Bush is coming to the San Francisco 49ers. The persistent rumor of Bush coming to San Francisco has been put to rest with Bush’s signing with the 49ers on Saturday afternoon.

Bush was in talking stages with the New England Patriots and it was said by 49ers general manager Trent Baalke after Bush negotiated with the 49ers last week and headed out to New England that the 49ers were moving forward and it sounded like Bush would sign on with the more successful organization Patriots also Bush was considering going back to his former team the New Orleans Saints as well.

The mass exodus the 49ers have seen in the last two weeks, running back Frank Gore leaving for the Colts, guard Mike Iupati, defensive tackle Justin Smith and linebacker Patrick Willis retiring, fullback Bruce Miller’s existence with the team is hanging in the balance over alleged domestic violence accusations, cornerback Chris Culliver signed a four year contract this week with Washington and Perrish Cox will not be coming back as he’s in talks with the Tennessee Titans and talk last week put 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick as being shopped by the team but the rumors were denied by Baalke. The 49ers are trying to turn the page of a tough chapter after the departure of former head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Bush joins the 49ers at a time when 49ers right offensive linebacker Aldon Smith just restructured his 2015 contract last week with the team. The 49ers have been entertaining former Chargers cornerback Shareece Wright, Wright had 18 pass breakups and one interception last season and had been with San Diego for two seasons. Although there are many more spots to fill in the gaps on the Niners the organization is happy to get Bush in trying to solve that puzzle.

Bush 30, is expected to take Gore’s place in the running back role, Bush could share running back duties with Carlos Hyde. Bush over the years has suffered a number of injuries, he’s a different running back from two years ago when he used to average a 1,000 yards a season with the Detroit Lions in what is said to be his final year of his prime.

Bush ran for only 297 yards and had only two touchdowns in 11 games for the Lions last season, Bush also caught 40 passes for 253 yards. In the 2013 season he had a career year running for 1,006 yards and had four touchdowns in 14 games. Previous to coming to Detroit he ran for the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints.

Bush won the Heisman Trophy at USC in 2005. Bush’s parents were given a free home and all the trimmings to stay in while Bush was a running back at USC and it was one of many gifts that Bush received when at USC. After an NCAA investigation the league sanctioned him and he voluntarily returned the trophy for receiving gifts.

Bush was charged by the NCAA, violations for student athletes receiving gifts and the NCAA also caught other USC players who were said to be receiving gifts during that time and shortly after the investigation former USC head coach Pete Carroll left for the NFL to coach the Seattle Seahawks. The Trojans were declared bowl ineligible after the discipline was handed down.

Tony Renteria covers the NFL for http://www.sportsradioservice.com each week