Reuters

Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson made running back Reggie Bush a public pitch about signing in Detroit as a free agent last week, something that his team is prohibited from doing until the March 12 start of free agency.

Don’t be surprised if they wind up making one once that date rolls around, however. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that the team has “real” interest in adding Bush to their offense for the 2013 season.

Birkett writes that the Lions have done plenty in the last few years in an attempt to surround quarterback Matthew Stafford with as much talent as possible, an effort that has had mixed results, and that signing Bush would fit right into that mode of operation. Bush’s skill as a receiver would seem to make him particularly attractive to a team that’s had a hard time finding reliable targets in the passing game other than Calvin Johnson.

Bush’s desires are unclear beyond his stated interest to remain in Miami. With that outcome looking less likely, it seems Bush may be in a position to decide if life in the Motor City agrees with him.