The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Detroit Lions handily on Sunday, 19-9. It was not a perfect victory, but the Steelers did win the first half 16-0 behind a solid showing by the first team defense. Chris Boswell kicked three first half field goals and Mitch Trubisky executed a touchdown drive at the end of the half in his first two-minute drill. Cam Sutton had a key interception followed by a big return to set up one of the Steelers field goals. Devin Bush also made a great play on a fourth and one that likely won him the Week 1 start at the Cincinnati Bengals.
Pittsburgh Steelers middle linebackers, Devin Bush (55) and Myles Jack (51). | Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Mark Robinson has been coming on during training camp and the preseason. He made his presence felt in the first half with a big hit on special teams and he likely earned his spot on the final 53-man roster with his play on Sunday. Robinson was pressing for time with the starting defense, but he did not get it against the Lions. Bush lined up next to Myles Jack in the Steelers base defense and he was noticeably more aggressive.
The Steelers declined the former first round pick's fifth-year option, and this is a make-or-break year for the former Michigan Wolverine. Until Sunday, he had not played like it against the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars. He was in the right position mostly and while he did not play like his hair was on fire, Bush certainly played better against the Lions. He was an average NFL linebacker which right now is a step in the right direction.
The Steelers base defense requires superior inside linebacker play and Jack is the leader by a mile among the current group. The Steelers will not be elite on defense if they do not get above average play from whomever lines up next to Jack. But for the first time in a 2022 game, they got adequate help from the other inside linebacker position. Bush is the most talented option for the Steelers next to Jack. He was a first round draft pick for a reason and Robert Spillane, along with Robinson, both have the desire to be Steelers linebackers, but they do not have the natural gifts of Bush.
Pittsburgh Steelers middle linebacker, Mark Robinson (93). | Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Robinson, who is only in his second year of playing the linebacker position, has already demonstrated a flair for the dramatic and a willing spirit, but it is just too big of a leap to expect him to jump from a seventh round draft pick to starter on one of the NFL’s most complicated defenses. Robinson is more naturally talented than Spillane, who is a fantastic run defender, but just cannot cover anyone consistently enough to be on the field when it isn’t an obvious run down. The two inside linebackers behind Bush both play with passion, but they are just not ready to supplant him.
Steelers' Devin Bush makes a play against the Detroit Lions in the 2021 season in Pittsburgh, PA. | AP
Pittsburgh reporters and fans have been extremely hard on Bush during the lead-up to this season. He has been his own worst enemy at times after saying he would still be in the NFL if things did not work out with the Steelers. If he plays like he did Sunday, then he can be a solid cog in the black and gold machine and that truly is the best-case scenario for the 2022 season. It gives the Steelers time to develop Robinson behind him and see if he can take the mantle from Bush, or if they need to target a linebacker in free agency or the 2023 NFL Draft.
It is possible that Bush returns to his All-Rookie Team form and has a fantastic 2022 campaign, but the Steelers would still be unlikely to retain him based on his tenure with the team. The former first round draft pick has to play well to earn a sizable second contract in the NFL and at least this week, he played like he was aware of that fact.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you happy to see Devin Bush playing better? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
