Browns’ Devin Bush confirms a suspicion about signing with Cleveland as a free agent
One of the moves that isn’t talked about enough for the Cleveland Browns is the signing of linebacker Devin Bush. It should be viewed as a low-cost, high-reward nice when you factor in that Bush was a top-10 selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. Bush’s career got off to a nice start as a rookie […]
One of the moves that isn’t talked about enough for the Cleveland Browns is the signing of linebacker Devin Bush. It should be viewed as a low-cost, high-reward nice when you factor in that Bush was a top-10 selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Bush’s career got off to a nice start as a rookie with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he totaled 109 tackles, two interceptions, and four fumble recoveries. His second season was cut abruptly short after just five games when he tore his ACL and things have not been the same since.
When the Browns signed Bush, the first player with a similar history that came to mind was defensive tackle Maurice Hurst. Hurst has had an injury-riddled career but was able to be a positive for the Browns last season up until he was injured again. Being around such a player may be just what the doctor ordered for Bush.
“I mean, just being around Mo [Hurst] again, I’m familiar and I’m comfortable,” Bush explained to the media on Wednesday. “I have a guy I can lean on, somebody that understands who I am, and I don’t have to re-learn so, I mean having that guy is tremendous. You know, playing behind him again is going to be great. So I mean we just working every day honestly.”
Cleveland very well could be trying to strike the same outcome twice. Going out and getting a talented player who hasn’t been able to put it all together because of health. As depth for the Seattle Seahawks last season Bush had 37 tackles and five were for a loss in three starts and 13 games total.
Cleveland let both Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki walk in free agency and signed Jordan Hicks along with Bush. The linebacker room will once again be led by Pro Bowler Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who could make a leap to the All-Pro level in 2024.
“Man, we got a crazy room. I mean, we still [are] learn[ing] each other still early, but we don’t have a lot of time spent together. But as of right now, we got a lot of characters and we got a great room, a good mix of veterans, a good mix of young guys. So it’s going to be a lot of learning, a lot of teaching in that room,” Bush explained.
Bush is still just 25 years old and could be a major contributor for the Browns’ defense if he can stay healthy. Over the last two seasons, Bush has four games missed, which is not a huge number.
Cleveland would be ecstatic if they could get the same outcome out of Bush as they did Hurst. General manager Andrew Berry hasn’t been shy about taking risks and this is another one, even if it is minimal.
Browns have checked off a major step for franchise that shows the growth they’ve made in recent years
As big of a step as it gets for the Browns.
