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The 2021 NFL season was an integral one for the Pittsburgh Steelers for many reasons. We watched 18-year veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger end his historic career. We watched the new ‘invigorated’ offense struggle to move to ball down the field. We saw the conclusion of longtime defensive coach Keith Butler’s incredible NFL career. We even saw some potential long-term acquisitions come and go.
But hidden in all of these, we watched how some players performed as their contracts came to an end in Pittsburgh. Players like JuJu Smith-Schuster who was on a one-year deal after testing the free agency last season, or James Washington and Terrell Edmunds who were each at the final year of their contracts.
So, with where we sit today, who is in the biggest need of a career season this go-around? Who finds themselves in their respective ‘prove it’ year in 2022? Well, there are a couple to keep an eye on, both on offense and defense but for this story we focus on:
Steelers inside linebacker, Devin Bush leads the defense in pregame warmups at Heinz Field in 2021. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
2022 Numbers: Base salary of $3,068,423; Cap hit of $6,004,653; Dead cap value of $6,004,653
Background: In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Steelers did something they rarely do and traded up in the first round of the draft. They traded their 2019 first and second round picks (20th and 52nd overall) and their 2020 third-round pick to the Denver Broncos for the Broncos’ 10th overall pick. The Steelers ultimately used this pick to select Bush who was one of the top-ranked linebacker prospects available in the draft. The Steelers had a porous inside linebacker group in the previous season consisting of Vince Williams as the headliner, Jonathan Bostic, Tyler Matakevich, L.J. Fort, and Anthony Chickillo. They were desperate for their next generational play-caller on defense and Bush checked all the right boxes. Fast forwarding to his rookie season, Bush showed the trade was worth it for the Steelers. First, he played in all 16 games. In those games, he posted an impressive stat line including 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, a touchdown, a sack, and over 100 tackles on the season. Not to mention, Bush was third in voting for the Defensive Rookie of the Year. But then what?
Making the turn into the 2020 season, Bush’s sights were high on taking the next step. After camp, he earned the starting inside linebacker job on a Steelers’ team that was poised to make a deep playoff run. But in the fifth game of the season, Bush tore his ACL landing him on the Injured Reserve list for the remainder of the season. Needless to say, this did not do Bush any favors in his NFL development. After months of treacherous rehab, he made his way back to the field and regained his starting spot at inside linebacker in 2021. But as fans watched, Bush looked gun-shy; he missed tackles he usually makes, he didn’t plug the gaps like he did in the previous seasons, and he simply didn’t look like the top-10 pick the Steelers traded up for in 2019. Of course the offseason heading into 2021 wasn’t easy for anyone amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and we heard from Bush throughout the season highlighting the difficulties he faced in his training and rehab. But now that Bush has an elite linebacker partner in Myles Jack and doesn’t need to carry a lot of the weight, is he poised to prove himself in 2022?
The Steelers traded up with the Denver Broncos to select Devin Bush in the first round of 2019.
Forecast: Allow me to preface this in saying the Steelers need to, and are going to, draft a linebacker in the 2022 draft. It is something they simply always do and depth is key at that area of the defense. The Steelers obviously recognize that in the signing of Jack, but they’ll need Bush to push the defense forward as a four-year veteran with the organization. I think Bush will get back to his elite talent level in 2022. The Steelers have to make a decision in the next few weeks on whether or not they’re going to pick up Bush’s 5th year option. All 1st round picks get 4 year contracts with a 5th year team option. The Steelers have until May 2022 to make that decision and if they decide to pick-up the option it becomes guaranteed. If the Steelers were on the fence about the decision heading into the off-season it’s possible that the addition of Brian Flores and his history of coaching up linebackers could sway their decision.
I’m not saying Vince Williams wasn’t a good match with Bush in 2019, but Bush was forced into a tough spot at an early point in his career and was fairly rushed into the league. With Bush being partnered with Jack it could really help Bush regain his pre-injury form. Bush is going to take a major leap in 2022. The Steelers are looking to build one of the best, if not the best, linebacker groups in the entire league in 2022, and Bush is going to play a critical part in that.
What do you think Bush will do this year? Do you think he’ll prove himself this season? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
But hidden in all of these, we watched how some players performed as their contracts came to an end in Pittsburgh. Players like JuJu Smith-Schuster who was on a one-year deal after testing the free agency last season, or James Washington and Terrell Edmunds who were each at the final year of their contracts.
So, with where we sit today, who is in the biggest need of a career season this go-around? Who finds themselves in their respective ‘prove it’ year in 2022? Well, there are a couple to keep an eye on, both on offense and defense but for this story we focus on:
Steelers Inside Linebacker, Devin Bush
Steelers inside linebacker, Devin Bush leads the defense in pregame warmups at Heinz Field in 2021. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
2022 Numbers: Base salary of $3,068,423; Cap hit of $6,004,653; Dead cap value of $6,004,653
Background: In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Steelers did something they rarely do and traded up in the first round of the draft. They traded their 2019 first and second round picks (20th and 52nd overall) and their 2020 third-round pick to the Denver Broncos for the Broncos’ 10th overall pick. The Steelers ultimately used this pick to select Bush who was one of the top-ranked linebacker prospects available in the draft. The Steelers had a porous inside linebacker group in the previous season consisting of Vince Williams as the headliner, Jonathan Bostic, Tyler Matakevich, L.J. Fort, and Anthony Chickillo. They were desperate for their next generational play-caller on defense and Bush checked all the right boxes. Fast forwarding to his rookie season, Bush showed the trade was worth it for the Steelers. First, he played in all 16 games. In those games, he posted an impressive stat line including 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, a touchdown, a sack, and over 100 tackles on the season. Not to mention, Bush was third in voting for the Defensive Rookie of the Year. But then what?
Making the turn into the 2020 season, Bush’s sights were high on taking the next step. After camp, he earned the starting inside linebacker job on a Steelers’ team that was poised to make a deep playoff run. But in the fifth game of the season, Bush tore his ACL landing him on the Injured Reserve list for the remainder of the season. Needless to say, this did not do Bush any favors in his NFL development. After months of treacherous rehab, he made his way back to the field and regained his starting spot at inside linebacker in 2021. But as fans watched, Bush looked gun-shy; he missed tackles he usually makes, he didn’t plug the gaps like he did in the previous seasons, and he simply didn’t look like the top-10 pick the Steelers traded up for in 2019. Of course the offseason heading into 2021 wasn’t easy for anyone amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and we heard from Bush throughout the season highlighting the difficulties he faced in his training and rehab. But now that Bush has an elite linebacker partner in Myles Jack and doesn’t need to carry a lot of the weight, is he poised to prove himself in 2022?
The Steelers traded up with the Denver Broncos to select Devin Bush in the first round of 2019.
Forecast: Allow me to preface this in saying the Steelers need to, and are going to, draft a linebacker in the 2022 draft. It is something they simply always do and depth is key at that area of the defense. The Steelers obviously recognize that in the signing of Jack, but they’ll need Bush to push the defense forward as a four-year veteran with the organization. I think Bush will get back to his elite talent level in 2022. The Steelers have to make a decision in the next few weeks on whether or not they’re going to pick up Bush’s 5th year option. All 1st round picks get 4 year contracts with a 5th year team option. The Steelers have until May 2022 to make that decision and if they decide to pick-up the option it becomes guaranteed. If the Steelers were on the fence about the decision heading into the off-season it’s possible that the addition of Brian Flores and his history of coaching up linebackers could sway their decision.
I’m not saying Vince Williams wasn’t a good match with Bush in 2019, but Bush was forced into a tough spot at an early point in his career and was fairly rushed into the league. With Bush being partnered with Jack it could really help Bush regain his pre-injury form. Bush is going to take a major leap in 2022. The Steelers are looking to build one of the best, if not the best, linebacker groups in the entire league in 2022, and Bush is going to play a critical part in that.
What do you think Bush will do this year? Do you think he’ll prove himself this season? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
