4 reasons Steelers LB Devin Bush will be better in 2022

1. Devin Bush should be healthier

Last season was Devin Bush’s first year back from a torn ACL, and while he was healthy it’s possible his body wasn’t fully used to the grind of being a professional linebacker again. After a full season playing and getting his knee reacclimated to playing football again Bush could be closer to his old self again.

The thing with injuries is, everyone’s body is affected differently by particular injuries. But, with a full season under his belt last year, it’s possible that Steelers fans will see some of the same burst, acceleration, speed, and agility that Bush flashed as a rookie. Even if it is only in spurts if Bush can flash some of that athletic ability that got the Steelers to move up and draft him then he can be a much-improved player than from last year.

The Steelers expect a better season out of Bush, as Kevin Colbert said in a Press Conference on February 21st, “I know Devin can play better because he has played better.”

Bush will be an x-factor for the Steelers defense next season, if he can return to form and show that he can be one of the better off-ball linebackers in the league next year, then this defense can really separate itself from the rest of the league and become a truly dominant unit, that can help the team win games on its own like it did in 2019. If he doesn’t return to form, that’s not to say this defense can’t still be strong, but it will be much less likely that they take the next step.

It remains to be seen what Devin Bush will look like next season, but one thing is for certain, the only way to go is up from the way he played last season. With Schobert looking increasingly likely to be released, it makes it even more likely that Bush will be back next season, but he will need to play much better if he wants to earn a new contract with the team.