Chicago Bears Bolster Linebacker Unit with Former Cleveland Browns Defender
The Chicago Bears entered the 2026 offseason with plenty of holes in the defense. With that in mind, their focus has been on adding talent at any position possible. This started with signing defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, which was a much-needed move for one of the weakest units on the team. They then brought in star safety Coby Bryant. Now, they have addressed the linebacker unit, which, after the release of Tremaine Edmunds, became very thin. According to Adam Schefter, the Bears are bringing in Devin Bush on a three-year deal worth $30 million.
Bush played at the University of Michigan for three seasons before being selected in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019. The 27-year-old has struggled to find consistency as he has spent time across three teams. He played with the Steelers from 2019 through 2022. He then joined the Seahawks for one year in 2023, before spending the past two seasons with the Browns. Now, he looks to solidify his spot in Chicago for years to come.
This past year with the Browns was the best season of his career. He recorded a total of 125 tackles and two sacks. Additionally, he was effective at taking the ball away. The seven-year veteran forced two fumbles and recorded three interceptions. This part of his game slots in very well with the team, as Chicago led the league in takeaways this past season. Being a strong tackler is also very needed for the team as they look to turn around their defense. The Bears now hope he can continue to build on his success and live up to his full potential.
The addition of Bush gives the Bears another experienced presence in the middle of their defense as they continue reshaping the unit for the 2026 season. If he can build on the momentum from last year, he has the potential to become a key contributor in Chicago’s linebacker rotation. His ability to create turnovers and make tackles in space should fit well within the defensive scheme the team is building. With several new pieces already added this offseason, the Bears are clearly focused on turning their defense into a strength. Bush will now have the opportunity to prove he can be an important part of that transformation.
