Playing linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers can make you a part of "football royalty," as former linebacker Chad Brown stated a couple of days ago via NFL Network. With that comes high expectations for linebackers putting on a Steelers uniform. The expectations can be astronomically higher when the team moves up in the top 10 of an NFL Draft to select you.
Devin Bush was drafted 10th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft after the Steelers traded up to snag the former Michigan standout. Bush looked the part in his rookie campaign posting 109 combined tackles (72 of those solo tackles), 2 interceptions, 9 tackles for loss, 1 touchdown, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hits, and 4 fumble recoveries. And then in his second season in 2020, Bush looked phenomenal again until he tore his ACL early on in the 2020 season. He just wasn't the same last season.
With the team declining to pick up Bush's fifth-year option this off-season, he will be playing in a contract year and has received some advice from another familiar face that donned the black and gold proudly.
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebackers Vince Williams and Devin Bush celebrate a tackle at Heinz Field on Sunday, Oct. 06, 2019 in Pittsburgh, PA. | Barry Reeger / Special to PennLive
In a recent article published by ESPN, reporter Brooke Pryor details a training camp preview for the Steelers as they inch a day closer to the start of training camp. She appointed Bush as the team's player with the most to prove during training camp.
"Bush is entering the final year of his contract after the Steelers declined to pick up his fifth-year option," Pryor stated in her training camp preview. "The former first-round pick had a frustrating 2021 season, his first after tearing an ACL midway through a promising 2020 campaign. While Bush appeared to be physically recovered from the tear, mentally, he appeared overly cautious and hesitated in crucial moments. He finished the season with 70 total tackles, good for sixth on the team.Another year out from the surgery, Bush enters a make-or-break season -- especially with the addition of senior defensive assistant Brian Flores, who will also be working closely with the linebackers. The Steelers also added inside linebacker Myles Jack, another player Bush can learn from -- and one who will push him beginning with training camp."
We all know it, this upcoming 2022 season is going to be a make-or-break year for the linebacker. The addition of Flores should allow Bush to return to form this season. Flores spoke about Bush during the team's minicamp sessions in the spring.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Devin Bush (#55) participates in the organized team activities (OTA’s), Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. | Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
“Devin is obviously very talented," Flores stated. "He’s a smart kid, I’ve had a good rapport and good conversations with him. I’m excited to keep working. This is not something that you talk about on second day of veteran mini camp and then jump on the field in September. It’s something that you build towards and work at daily. He’s doing those things.”“The physical part, he looks good out here,” Flores said. “He’s moving around well…It’s early in the process. So far, he’s done a nice job.” Flores went on to say, it’s hard to judge a linebacker without pads on.
Steelers' Devin Bush makes a play against the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field (Photo: AP)
When training camp opens up on July 26th in Latrobe, the team will be able to start to determine if Bush is back!
What are yinz thoughts on Bush entering the final year of his contract with the organization? Will he prove he deserves another contract? Let us know in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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