The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to decline the fifth year option available to them for former 10th overall pick, Devin Bush. He will be the 3rd player out of the last 4 that the Steelers have declined. Most recently Terrell Edmunds who eventually was re-signed as a free agent.
Steelers declined to pick up the fifth-year option for Linebacker Devin Bush, per source. He now will be playing on an expiring contract.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 2, 2022
The struggle has been real between the Steelers, and Bush. The Steelers traded up in the 2019 NFL draft to pick #10 to select the Michigan stand out. His ability to range from sideline to sideline, and be able to cover tight ends and running backs made the choice to move up too hard to pass for Pittsburgh. But it's been and up and down career so far for Bush.
The last time the Steelers traded up was 2019 when they moved to pick #10 for Devin Bush / Photo AP
He's also made some interesting posts on social media that brought him negative attention. Last summer Bush posted a video of a cat falling from multiple stories with this caption: “The only time I seen a cat not land on its feet omg!!?”
The tweet has since been deleted, but it caught the attention of several folks around social media. Was it the worst thing he could've done? No. But it still wasn't an appropriate video. When the Steelers arrived to training camp last summer, Bush was asked about his social media antics, but downplayed the severity and outrage.
“I don’t know if they’re real fans, to be honest with you,” Bush said. “I saw a lot of people that I don’t know. So, I don’t know.”
Then when asked whether anyone from the Steelers organization had reached out about his posts he responded that they couldn't control his twitter account.
“It’s my Twitter, so they can’t control it.”
Since then Bush has unfollowed several hundred people, and now only follows 37 accounts. Most of those being Steelers related accounts.
Now his play on the field has been just as controversial as his tweets. As a rookie Bush was all over the field for the Steelers defense. He recorded 109 tackles, 2 interceptions, 9 tackles for a loss, 1 touchdown, 1 forced fumble, and received three votes for AFC defensive rookie of the year. It was a performance that had some rookie moments, but it was something that many Steelers fans were happy with. Then came his torn ACL in 2020. He was off to a solid start to the season before he blew his knee out against the Browns in a lopsided win, week 5.
From there it's been a circus. Due to COVID-19 rules in 2020, Bush was forced to be away from the team. He said last year that he felt like he was on an island at times, and like he wasn't apart of the team. But Bush pushed through the rough times and made it back in time to play in 2021. But he just wasn't the same player.
He was timid, a lot of times avoiding contact all together. He didn't fly all over the field. A lot of the time indecision would take him right out of the play. The knee by all rights seemed to be good to go, but mentally it didn't seem like he was ready. He missed a few games with COVID-19, but started 14 games total. He only recorded 70 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery. Zero impact plays.
The Steelers now have a secret weapon we hope with Brian Flores coming on board to help with the linebackers. Flores of course spent many years with Bill Belichick in New England helping with his defense. And had he not filed a lawsuit against the NFL he'd likely be a head coach right now. Pittsburgh also brought in veteran Myles Jack to play opposite of Bush. Jack should be an upgrade from Joe Schobert who was released following the season.
Several players have had their options declined as today's deadline comes at 4pm for a decision. NFL.com has a tracker that they're keeping up to date.
