There is a possibility that the 2022 season could be the final one for middle linebacker Devin Bush with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Still, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert is not yet ready to come to a resolution on this matter.
As it stands, Bush is due for a $6.0 million cap hit for the 2022 campaign. He does have a fifth-year option on the table, but the Steelers have until early May to decide on whether they will opt into it. The Steelers could also come to terms with him on a multiyear contract extension deal, although it is not known whether Colbert has entertained this idea over the past month.
For now, Colbert is exploring all options regarding the future of Bush with the Steelers, which he touched on earlier this week.
“No, we have not [triggered Bush's option] because that's not due until, I think it's May 1 or May 2, I believe,” Colbert said. “And we'll go through all the different scenarios, like I said, with free agency, the draft. But Devin Bush I think will be a better player in 2022.”
Overall, Bush featured in 14 regular season games in the 2021 campaign, which came following his season-ending ACL injury in the year prior. He finished with 70 total tackles and 2.0 sacks recorded. He had his share of ups and downs over the season, as he allowed a 102.8 passer rating while in coverage and had difficulties in being the stout tackler that the Steelers aspired he would be when they selected him in the opening round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
During the season, Bush noted that he found dire struggles in reverting to his top form due to his ACL injury in the 2020 campaign.
“I think my first and second years were definitely two good years,” Bush said in December. “My third year was a year I’ve never experienced before, especially coming back from an injury like that. It was my first time going through an injury like that. It was my first time getting surgery. It was my first time going to rehab, and my first time being away from the game for a full year. It was a learning experience.”
The Steelers had quite an uncharacteristic year in the 2021 regular season, as they finished last in rushing yards allowed per game with a 146.1 average. Colbert is not pinpointing the blame on a single player for the Steelers' inefficiency to stop the run, but he much aspires to see Bush and multiple talents in the front seven be fully fit by Week 1 of the 2022 season.
“When you look at the defensive front seven, obviously with Stephon not being available, losing Tyson Alualu when we did, with Devin Bush coming off a serious knee injury, with Vince Williams deciding to retire,” Colbert said. “We're not going to make excuses.
“I think we would have been better had we had Stephon and Tyson and a healthy Devin Bush. I know Devin can play better because he has played better albeit when he was younger and healthier, and it's not usual for someone coming off an ACL to not be 100 percent right away. We're hoping that he can come back and have a better 2022.”
A pivotal 2022 season awaits Bush and the Steelers front seven as they sure aim to emerge as a formidable rush defense unit.
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