The Steelers made an uncharacteristically aggressive jump in the first round of last month’s draft, trading up from No. 20 to No. 10 to select Michigan linebacker Devin Bush. Today, they signed Bush to his rookie contract, as Pro Football Talk reports (via Twitter). It will be a four-year, $18.8MM deal (all guaranteed), with a fifth-year option for 2023.
In addition to their No. 20 overall selection, Pittsburgh shipped the No. 52 overall pick in the 2019 draft plus a 2020 third-rounder to Denver. But Bush’s talent could more than justify that type of gamble, as he will immediately slide into the Steelers’ starting lineup as an inside ‘backer.
Bush is a three-down player who has shown an ability to thrive in both man-to-man and zone coverage, and he also flashed some pass-rushing prowess during his tenure at Michigan. He finished his final collegiate season with 41 tackles (8.5 for loss) and 4.5 sacks.
The Steelers have found it difficult to replace Ryan Shazier‘s presence in the middle of their front seven since Shazier’s devastating injury towards the end of the 2017 campaign, and Bush should be able to replicate, or even exceed, Shazier’s production. He doesn’t turn 21 until July 18, and Pittsburgh has every reason to believe it may have found the next great Steel City defender.
With Bush’s signing, third-round CB Justin Layne is the only member of the Steelers’ nine-man draft class who has yet to ink his rookie deal.
Good job by the Steelers on signing nearly all their draft picks so quickly. Not wasting any time. This is an organization that wants to win.
Too bad they’ll be watching the playoffs again
They win the division. No agendas to serve or destructions to deal with.
Nope possibly 2nd more than likely 3rd
Haha we’ll see come January
Im looking forward to laughing at the Browns faultoring again.
It’s literally impossible for the Browns to be good.
Already fired interim coach who did really well with the defense in second half.
OBJ is the definition of a cancer.
Baker was only good in garbage time.
Greedy will be picked on heavily.
I mean the Cardinals signed their whole draft class already. I don’t see any correlation.
Agreed. There is no award for how fast you can invest the money…the only award is for how wisely it was invested.
You don’t think getting guys in camp as soon as possible is a reward?
They want to win by alienating their 2 best players and catering to an old QB on the decline
Their best players are on the o-line…
Steelers missed the boat by not signing one of the Top 5 WRs in this draft. Juju is going to be constantly double teamed, and Ben will still try to force it into him. I have a feeling we are looking at a 7-9 or 8-8 season in the steel city.
Haha
Ben has 2 rings without AB and Bell (who combined for zero)..
Seems they kept the right guy. Also AB was a 6th round pick that no one heard of sooo….
If you come in with the right mentality, Steelers have proven they’ll develop you into a star.
Here we go