Devin Bush (30) reacts after the Pittsburgh Steelers miss a field goal in the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Devin Bush looking to continue career resurgence with Bears

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 4:13 PM ET

Former first-round draft pick Devin Bush has turned the momentum from his career-resurgence season in 2025 into a three-year deal with a new team.

After putting together the best season of his career to date with the Cleveland Browns, Bush signed with the Chicago Bears on Monday. He signed a three-year, $30 million contract with Chicago.

Still only 27, Bush heads to Chicago to provide more linebacker depth for the reigning NFC North champions.

Devin Bush appeared destined to be a draft bust until the 2025 season

Bush recorded 125 total tackles, with an almost equal split between solo and assisted, seven tackles for a loss, eight pass deflections, three interceptions and two forced fumbles with the Browns last season, playing 17 games for the first time in his seven-year career. He made 76 tackles with eight tackles for a loss in 2024.

Bears signing LB Devin Bush to 3-year, $30M deal. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/7WvUL9V1QD
— NFL (@NFL) March 9, 2026

Bush was once believed to be a future NFL star

Before joining the Browns, the linebacker was regarded as a draft bust by most experts. Once viewed as worthy of a draft-day trade by the Steelers to move up to take the Michigan product with the 10th overall selection of the 2019 NFL Draft, Bush quickly fell out of favor in Pittsburgh. Cryptic social media posts and rumors of locker room issues caused the Steelers to give up on their former first-round pick.

Bush did open his NFL career finishing third in the Defensive Rookie of the Year race - he registered 109 tackles, nine for a loss and a pair of picks in 2019. However, he never came close to duplicating his debut-season production for the rest of his time with the Steelers.

He played only five games due to an injury in 2020 and then made only 70 total tackles in 2021 and 81 in 2022 before signing a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks ahead of the 2023 season. Then, after a season with only 37 combined tackles in 13 games, Seattle decided not to pursue a contract extension for Bush, leaving him free to land with the Browns eventually.

While it's hard to rely on Bush to be consistent, the Bears clearly believe he's worth a shot, especially at a team-friendly rate relative to the market.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

More must-reads: