Steelers Former 1st Round Draft Pick Devin Bush Seeks Revenge On His Former Team According To Pete Carroll

The Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 made a bold move by trading up in the NFL Draft to select Devin Bush. This first-round pick was considered a promising addition to the team's roster, but his journey with the Steelers had its share of ups and downs. Now, as he dons the Seattle Seahawks jersey, Bush is set to face his former team in a Week 17 matchup that carries the weight of revenge.

Bush's arrival in Pittsburgh initially sparked hope among Steelers fans. In his rookie season, he demonstrated his potential, amassing 109 combined tackles and securing two interceptions. However, his promising start took a devastating turn in the 2020 season when a significant injury abruptly ended his campaign. Unfortunately, Bush struggled to regain his form in the subsequent seasons, falling short of the Steelers' lofty expectations.

As a result of his inconsistent performance and the emergence of other defensive talents, the Steelers ultimately decided to part ways with Bush, who had once been acquired through a costly draft trade-up.

During the offseason, Bush found a new home with the Seahawks. This change of scenery offered him a fresh start and an opportunity for redemption. Now, with a chance to face his former team, Bush is determined to make a statement.

Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll recognized the significance of this matchup during his media interaction on Wednesday. He acknowledged that Bush has a great chance to play this week and emphasized his expectation that the linebacker would be highly motivated to do so.

“You know, he’s got a great chance to play this week and I know he will be fired up to do that. There's always something to that, last week Rio [Mario Edwards Jr.] had his chance to go against his old club and there's something to that. That just kind of juices guys up and I respect that and I like honoring that.”

Carroll noted that there's something special about players facing their former teams, a sentiment that often fuels their determination and passion. He expressed his respect for this aspect of the game and his enthusiasm for witnessing Bush's performance.

“Yeah, there are some special circumstances here. The fact he’s playing against his old team and he got drafted by them and all that stuff, as well as gameplan and prepping and all that. There’s a lot going on. This is an important week for him to be right down the middle and keep his head down. He wants to help his team play well. He’s got to be really ready to do that and there’s reason to be distracted.”

Steelers Revenge Game

Carroll emphasized that Bush's focus should be on maintaining a balanced mindset amid the various distractions. He highlighted the importance of being mentally prepared to help his current team succeed in a pivotal game. The Seahawks' playoff hopes hinge on this game, with a must-win scenario to secure a 68% chance of making it to the postseason. However, a loss would significantly diminish their odds, dropping them to just 39%. At this moment, the Seahawks hold better playoff prospects compared to the Steelers.

“Few times he’s gotten a chance to play a lot possibly and you know, going against his former club. That’s the kind of guy I am looking forward to hanging out with this week and talking to him through it and making sure he’s level and clear.”

Carroll's approach involves getting to know Bush's mindset, providing guidance, and ensuring that he remains clear and level-headed. This week, Bush's mental preparation will be just as crucial as his physical readiness.

At 25 years old and still in the prime of his career, Bush views this matchup as an opportunity to regain the momentum of his football journey. Despite his initial struggles with the Steelers, Bush has the talent and drive to make a significant impact with the Seahawks.

It's worth noting that Bush's social media activity during the Steelers' difficult loss to the Indianapolis Colts raised some eyebrows. He posted laughing emojis, leading some to speculate about his reaction to his former team's struggles. While the intent behind the post remains unclear, it added an intriguing layer to the narrative surrounding this revenge game.

However, it's not just Bush who will be fired up for this matchup. The Steelers' offense, too, will have extra motivation to perform against their former teammate.

Carroll's belief in the revenge narrative and his anticipation of Bush stepping into a larger role against the Steelers signal the significance of this showdown. For Steeler Nation, it will be both compelling and emotional to watch their former linebacker take the field against them in a game with high-stakes implications. With the Steelers' playoff hopes hanging by a thread, every aspect of this matchup becomes crucial, and the storyline of Bush's revenge adds an extra layer of intrigue.

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