Why is Gus Edwards called 'Gus the bus?' Ravens star's nickname explored

Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards has been a staple of the Ravens' backfield since he was signed in 2018.

The versatile RB is called "Gus the Bus," a nickname that long-term NFL fans would know a thing or two about.

The reason is that "Gus the Bus" was the nickname of Jerome Bettis, an iconic player for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the last few decades. Bettis played for the Ravens' bitter rivals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Ravens fanbase has called him Gus the Bus since he made his debut, and we can only speculate that it's to spite the Steelers' fanbase. It sure does help that Edwards' first name is Gus, so the nickname sticks nicely.

Well, you can be sure that the Gus the Bus nickname won't go away anytime soon, as Edwards is just 27 and nearing the peak of his running back days in Baltimore. However, he has way to go before surpassing the legacy of the original Gus the Bus, Jerome Bettis.

---

Gus Edwards NFL Legacy

The Baltimore Ravens signed Gus Edwards as an undrafted free agent in May 2018.

That happened after he went undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft after a college career playing for the University of Miami. He quickly became a key contributing running back for the Ravens, helping relieve pressure off their rookie QB Lamar Jackson, a formidable rusher in his own right. Edwards finished fifth among rookie running backs in rushing yards. He put up a stat line of 137 rush attempts, 718 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 11 games.

His second season with the Ravens wasn't as phenomenal, as he started just once in the backfield. That didn't stop him from posting another 700-plus yard season, coupled with two rushing touchdowns. He did all that on 133 rush attempts for the season.

Gus the Bus entered his third NFL season with a chip on his shoulder, as analysts tipped him to make the jump as the starter for the Ravens. He lived up to expectations for the most part, posting a stat line of 144 rush attempts, 723 rushing yards and six touchdowns (all career highs).

After the 2022 season, Edwards was placed on a second-round restricted free-agent tender. He then signed a deserved two-year contract extension worth $10 million.

Unfortunately, he was ruled out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in a practice session. He returned for the 2022 season but was a shadow of his former self. He put up career-low numbers in the 2022 season, posting 87 rush attempts, 433 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns stat line.

---

Did Gus Edwards restructure his Ravens contract?

Yes, Gus Edwards recently restructured his Baltimore Ravens contract. Edwards and the Ravens have agreed a reworked contract that reduces his 2023 salary by about $1 million but allows him to earn money back via incentives.

With his base salary dropping from $4.38 million to less than $3.5 million, Gus Edwards will likely avoid being a cap casualty and play at least one more season for the only NFL team he has played for. It remains to be seen if Edwards can return to his pre-ACL injury form and earn the Gus the Bus nickname.