Dennis Allen turns his back on his former players as the Bears instead bring in a Pro Bowl-caliber player to replace Tremaine Edmunds
The Chicago Bears have found a new starting linebacker and make the right decision with their search.
The Chicago Bears have now signed a third straight defensive player in free agency and made the second move to land a new starter going into the 2026 season as defensive coordinator Dennis Allen looks to overhaul his unit.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears are expected to sign former Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush to a three-year, $30 million deal that includes $21 million guaranteed. Bush, the former 10th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, will now replace Tremaine Edmunds in the lineup.
Devin Bush signing shows Dennis Allen understands the kind of moves his defense needed
When the Bears released Edmunds, two names quickly were linked to the Bears: Demario Davis and Alex Anzalone. Both players are older veterans that had former ties to Allen but instead already signed elsewhere. While I wasn’t opposed to the idea of signing either player to have a veteran presence, the Bears made the right move here by adding a faster, younger player who can make splash plays.
Bush’s career had a slow start despite his high draft status but he’s coming off the best season of his career after finally getting unlocked with the Browns. Allen and the Bears are banking on the idea that Bush’s play can improve even further.
“Cleveland loves a reclamation project and Bush is the latest for them. Until the 2025 season, Bush hadn’t looked like the first-round player he was drafted to be since his rookie season in 2019. The former Michigan Wolverine was able to refine form in a big way this past season under linebackers coach Jason Tarver.
Bush was near a Pro Bowl level in 2025 with 125 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions. Playing alongside star LB Carson Schwesinger and behind a ferocious defensive line helped him, but Bush really looked like a difference maker in 2025. Bush can give you a linebacker who can cover, as well as work sideline to sideline to chase down runners. A good story for the Browns in 2025 when they didn’t have many of them.” A to Z Sports’ Brandon Little.
Where did Devin Bush rank in A to Z Sports’ Top-100?
“It takes time to learn linebacker in the NFL, and no player proved that more this past season than Devin Bush. After being borderline unplayable for the Steelers, Bush bounced around a bit before finding a home in Cleveland. Jim Schwartz’s scheme helped propel Bush to a career year. He recorded highs in interceptions (including two for touchdowns), tied a career high in sacks, and blew his career high in tackles out of the water with 125 total.” – A to Z Sports’ Rob Gregson
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