The Chicago Bears wasted no time addressing the linebacker position after they released veteran Tremaine Edmunds last week, signing veteran Devin Bush to a three-year, $30 million contract with $21 million guaranteed. Bush gives the team a new starting linebacker who is good against the run and will slot next to T.J. Edwards.
Bush joins Chicago after the best season of his career in 2025, his second with the Cleveland Browns, where he totaled 125 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three interceptions, 2.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Having played the first four seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the former No. 10 overall pick in the 2019 NL Draft, would go on to play for the Seattle Seahawks and aforementioned Browns.
With that in mind, here are five things to know about the Bears new veteran linebacker Devin Bush:
Bush followed in his father’s footsteps
His father, Devin Bush Sr., also played in the NFL and was a first-round pick. Devin Bush Sr. played safety for three different franchises — the Atlanta Falcons, St. Louis Rams, and Cleveland Browns from 1995 to 2002. Devin Bush Jr. was picked higher than his father, being the 10th overall pick in 2019, and played linebacker while his dad manned the secondary.
Bush found the end zone twice in 2025
During his breakout season last year, Bush had a career-high three interceptions and made them even more special by returning two of those picks for touchdowns. Bush’s ability to be a ballhawk and playmaker last season should fit very well with Dennis Allen’s defense, where Tremaine Edmunds had four interceptions for Chicago last season.
Bush was a two-time All-American at Michigan
While he didn’t make much of an impact during his freshman year for the Michigan Wolverines in 2016, Bush made the most out of his sophomore and junior seasons when he was named an All-American in both years. He totaled 10 sacks in those two seasons and had 161 combined tackles, as well. On top of that honor, Bush was also named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Big Ten Linebacker of the Year in 2018.
Bush is known for his speed
Bush suffered a torn ACL in the 2020 season, his second year in the NFL, but has bounced back and become well-known for his speed at the linebacker position. It’s worth mentioning because at the NFL combine in 2019, Bush ran a 4.43 40-yard dash. Yes, there’s been plenty of players to return from ACL injuries, but Bush has seemed to come back to his pre-injury form coming off the 2025 season.
Bush has a knack for being in big rivalries
You think Bears head coach Ben Johnson is going to enjoy having this intensity and passion from a linebacker in a Bears uniform? Just look at this viral clip of Bush during his time at Michigan against their in-state rivals Michigan State. He then continued his time with rivalries over the past two seasons, playing for the Cleveland Browns after spending the first four years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Bush comes in and immediately buys into the Bears fanbase and mindset with the coaching staff towards NFC North rivals, most notably the Green Bay Packers, he could be a joy to watch with the passion he plays with.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 things to know about new Bears LB Devin Bush
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
