3 reasons Steelers LB Devin Bush should greatly improve in 2022

Steelers should have an improved DL in front of him

One area in which all Steelers linebackers need to be given some grace from their performance in 2021 is run defense. Pittsburgh’s defensive line was decimated with injuries — so much so that they resorted to starting a journeyman defensive tackle off the streets in Montravius Adams.

While Cameron Heyward was his usual dominant self, he was often double-teamed on running plays, and the rest of the defensive line was bullied at the point of attack. The Steelers missed Stephon Tuitt for the entire season and nose tackle Tyson Alualu missed 15 games last year.

Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that Tuitt is going to return to the field this year and fans are anxiously waiting to see what will happen with him. However, there is plenty of reason to believe that the offensive line will be improved.

Alualu is a quality run defender who is set to return to the field this year, and Isaiahh Loudermilk should take a step up in his second season. In addition, the Steelers have ample spending money they could use to beef up the interior defensive line and they could use some high draft capital at the position as well.

When offensive linemen are constantly getting to the second level, it’s nearly impossible for linebackers to do much in terms of run defense. With an improved DL in 2022, I expect Devin Bush to be much better in this area of his game.