4 Steelers players who have disappointed thus far in 2021

2. Steelers Devin Bush

Like Schobert, Devin Bush was expected to be in the upper echelon of the league’s middle linebackers. The team traded up to 10th overall in 2019, believing that Bush was the missing piece for their defense, which had truly missed Ryan Shazier’s presence at the middle linebacker position.

Bush looked to be what the Steelers were looking for as a rookie when, according to Pro Football Reference, he compiled 109 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two interceptions, and four fumble recoveries.

Unfortunately, last season Bush suffered a torn ACL, and while he appears healthy this season, he has not been quite the same player. He’s been a capable starter but hasn’t been anywhere the elite talent the Steelers’ expected he’d be. The Steelers were expected to have a dynamic middle linebacker tandem this year with Bush and Schobert, but neither has been as good as advertised, and neither has made the “splash plays” that the team expected from them.

With a decision looming after this year on whether or not to pick up his fifth-year option, it appears unlikely at this stage that the team picks it up. More likely than not the team will decline it, and he will enter next season in the last year of his contract. Not only can the team use Bush stepping up his play for the remainder of the season, but it would benefit him as well, as he would help rebuild his value as a player.