Former Steelers LB Devin Bush Signs with Browns

Free-agent linebacker and former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Devin Bush has signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Bush visited with the Browns on Thursday.

Bush, 25, was the Steelers’ first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft when the team traded up with the Denver Broncos to select him out of Michigan with the No. 10 overall selection. He never lived up to the billing of that draft pick in four seasons in Pittsburgh. Bush started 15 games in a promising rookie season in 2019, but he never recovered his form after an ACL injury caused him to miss most of the 2020 season.

The Steelers put significant effort into getting Bush into a better place in 2022. The signing of free-agent inside linebacker and NFL veteran Myles Jack was done at least in part to try to provide a leader for the position group. The Steelers also hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores to work with their linebackers. But it never clicked and he went to the Seattle Seahawks this past offseason and will now hit free agency once again after playing for Pete Carroll.

Bush’s one season in Seattle was below the line. He struggled to get on the field, and when he did, it was dreadful. Carroll was fired after the season and Mike Macdonald is the new head coach in Seattle, so the new regime must of not been impressed with Bush.

Bush started just three games in Seattle. The Steelers rushed for 202 yards in their Week 17 win over Seattle, and a good amount of those yards came in Bush’s direction. The Steelers made sure to run right at him.

Bush is an undersized linebacker that struggles to get off blocks. It was an issue in Pittsburgh, and it popped up in Seattle, as well. That part of Bush’s game may never get corrected. But, perhaps he could resurrect his career in Cleveland if they chose to sign him.

Bush’s dad, Devin Bush Sr., was a safety for the Browns from 2001-2002.