For being such a relatively boring organization come each NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers sure shocked fans in 2019. Pittsburgh traded their first and second round picks along with their 2020 third round pick to the Denver Broncos for the Broncos' 10th overall pick in 2019. With that pick, Pittsburgh selected Devin Bush as their presumed inside linebacker of the future. For a team who has established a reputation of prospecting and developing elite linebacker talent, Pittsburgh drew a lot of attention across the league when they called Bush’s name. At the time, Pittsburgh and Bush seemed like a match made in heaven.
Looking back just two years prior to the Bush selection, Pittsburgh had their future defensive play-caller in Ryan Shazier. But after Shazier suffered a horrific career-ending injury, Pittsburgh was left scrambling in finding a proper replacement who could mimic the same production as Shazier. This led to various linebacker corps consisting of Vince Williams, Jonathan Bostic, Mark Barron, L.J. Fort, and other rotational players. In those seasons, Pittsburgh failed to make the playoffs even with one of the best offenses in the league. The need of top linebacker talent was evident and needless to say, the expectations surrounding Bush were high. In his rookie year, Bush showed he was legitimate top ten talent.
Steelers' Devin Bush (#55) makes a miraculous interception against the Baltimore Ravens in 2019 (Steelers.com)
In Bush’s rookie year in 2019, he posted incredible numbers. He flew all over the field, made amazing defensive plays, and gave Pittsburgh a glimmer of hope as to what to expect in the future. But after tearing his ACL on the fifth game of the 2020 season, Bush took a major step back in his professional development. We saw stories of Bush’s mental health also suffering, as he was forced to rehab from a major injury amidst a global pandemic. When the 2021 season came, fans were expecting to see the same Bush as what they saw in 2019; the previous version of Bush never arrived. The 2021 season was a disappointing one for Bush and this led to Pittsburgh declining his fifth-year option earlier this off-season. Pittsburgh didn’t want to commit themselves to another year with Bush just yet, but they could grab some residual return on investment before the 2022 season kicks off.
The Steelers could look to trade Bush before the 2022 NFL season
There is a lot to unpack here, but a Bush-related trade isn’t entirely out of the question. Looking back to last season, Pittsburgh brought in Joe Schobert after Williams announced his retirement just before training camp. Pittsburgh was hoping that a strong veteran presence in Schobert would help Bush get back to his 2019 self. To help round out the linebacker depth chart in addition to Schobert, Pittsburgh used one of their 2021 fourth round picks on Buddy Johnson and continued to develop 2020-standout player, Robert Spillane. After Bush’s lackluster 2021 season, Pittsburgh acquired Myles Jack via free agency and selected Mark Robinson in the 2022 NFL Draft to help out the linebacker group heading into camp. The cherry on top of the 2022 Pittsburgh linebacker room was the addition of Defensive Assistant/Linebackers Coach Brian Flores.
Steelers' Devin Bush lines up against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field. (Twitter: @JSKO_photo)
What if the Steelers brought in Flores to develop the younger talent instead of coaching up Bush?
I’m not the only one who thinks the Steelers should look to trade Bush. Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski also reported that Bush could find himself on Pittsburgh's trade block heading into the preseason schedule. Per Sobleski:
“Pittsburgh needs consistency from its linebackers since they will be asked to carry the team at points. The group is capable of doing so with T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick leading the way. The defense doesn't necessarily need Bush to achieve its goals.”
Let’s make one thing clear; the Steelers brought in Jack to not only be a starter, but to be a key contributor as a part of the 2022 defense. Paired with Jack, Johnson is slated to take a big step forward as a top NFL linebacker, with Robinson and Spillane waiting in the wings. I agree with the sentiment of Bush not being needed to carry the Steelers defense in 2022. The Athletic's Mark Kaboly recently reported his thoughts of this year being Bush’s final in a Steelers uniform, so why not trade for some return of capital instead of letting him walk as a free agent after another possible down season?
Therefore, the question comes to what the Steelers could expect in return for Bush?
Being the primary play-caller on defense, a linebacker like Bush is constantly sought after in the NFL. Every team is looking for their franchise linebacker who has moderate upside potential, who is still fairly young, and who is available at a discount. All of that describes Bush. Therefore, the Steelers could look to a few hypothetical options:
New Orleans Saints: The Steelers were already linked to trade possibilities in acquiring cornerback Bradley Roby, so there’s already some basis established for this. Of course, there could very well be trade picks considered as well between the two organizations, but the Steelers could still use a solid, proven veteran at cornerback. In turn, the Saints need a lot of help at linebacker and have 2023 draft capital in the middle rounds. Bush and a Steelers middle round 2023 draft pick for Roby and a 2023 Saints middle round selection would help both teams.
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers need a lot of help in a lot of areas. Two glaring areas are quarterback and linebacker. Ironically enough, the Steelers have a quarterback and linebacker who could be negotiation pieces to help fill those; those being Mason Rudolph and Bush. In return, the Steelers could look at acquiring some of the Panthers’ 2023 draft capital. A trade of Rudolph and Bush for the Panthers’ 2023 second round and fourth round picks along with the Panthers’ 2024 fourth round pick would help both sides. The Panthers need immediate help at quarterback and linebacker, and the Steelers have enough current depth to get them to the following two draft classes.
Detroit Lions: The Lions seem to have a ‘thing’ for University of Michigan alumni and they need an inside linebacker. It would make sense for Bush to go to a developing team looking to build a strong defense who needs additional upside at the linebacker position. Although the Lions don’t have much in terms of trade capital on the current roster, they currently hold the most 2023 draft picks. The Lions have nine total selections in 2023 including two first round picks, two sixth round picks, and one pick in every other round.
Similar to the Panthers, the Lions need a veteran on defense and have the necessary draft capital to acquire said veteran and still have sufficient picks in 2023 should things not work out. I could see Bush to the Lions for the Lions' 2023 second round and sixth round picks to make sense.
Steelers' Devin Bush makes a play against the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field (Photo: AP)
It is never a good thing to trade up for a top 10 pick, only to trade that player away four years later. But with that said, the Steelers need to see some type of return on their investment with Bush. Although they’ll presumably save cap space should they let Bush walk in 2023, the Steelers could use the draft capital of other linebacker-needy teams to build the next generation. Paired with Rudolph, the Steelers could create a nice package for developing teams who need veterans in the locker room; but only for the right price.
Do you think the Steelers should trade Bush? What do you the asking price should be? Let us know in the comments below!
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