Deon Bush

Career StatsC-

Year	Team	GP	INT	PD	Tkl
Career		103	3	11	110
2025		1	0	0	1
2024		2	0	0	3
2023		6	0	0

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

This Deon Bush signing represents solid value acquisition for a team needing safety depth, earning a B- CVI that reflects smart roster management at the margins. Bush's rotational player production tier aligns well with his $1.3M AAV price point — you're getting exactly what you pay for without any premium attached to name recognition or past accomplishments. At 29 years old, the veteran safety is in that sweet spot where his experience and football IQ can still contribute meaningfully while his physical tools remain serviceable, making this a low-risk veteran addition rather than a developmental gamble. The contract structure heavily favors the signing team with just $400K guaranteed against a $1.3M total commitment, creating an easy exit ramp if Bush doesn't fit or younger players emerge during training camp. For a rotational safety who can step into spot duty and contribute on special teams, this deal checks all the boxes without breaking the bank — exactly the type of under-the-radar move that helps fill out a competitive roster while maintaining salary cap flexibility.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Deon's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Deon Bush is a nine-year veteran safety and free agent entering his age-32 season with 103 career games of experience. Once a reliable defensive back in the NFL, Bush has seen his production decline sharply over the past two seasons, dropping from a C+ grade in 2024 to a D+ in 2025. At this stage of his career, he profiles as a depth option or special-teams contributor rather than a starter. Bush's most glaring weakness is his tackle production, averaging just 1.17 per game this season—well below the NFL average of 3.41 and nowhere near elite safety standards of 7.78 tackles per contest. This dramatic underperformance suggests diminished athleticism, positioning issues, or reduced playing time in coverage roles where impact is harder to quantify. His downward trajectory from 2023 through 2025 indicates the aging process has caught up with a player who once held more promise in the backend of defenses. While his nine-year tenure speaks to some NFL utility, Bush's current on-field impact is minimal and his role has likely compressed to rotation work or situational deployments. Teams evaluating him should view Bush as a veteran reserve rather than a reclamation project with upside. Unless he lands in a specific scheme where his experience carries value, his window for meaningful contribution appears to have closed.

How Deon Compares at the Position

Deon Bush ranks 120th of 196 graded safeties by performance. That slots Deon between Josh Thompson (C-) just ahead and Lonnie Johnson Jr. (C-) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Deon Bush enters 2026 free agency as a veteran depth safety with nine years of NFL experience but no marquee accolades or standout statistical production to command significant market attention. The recent headlines positioning him among available safety options reflect his status as a competent role player rather than a sought-after starter, with media coverage treating him as part of the broader free-agent pool rather than a priority target. His $1.3M salary history and modest career interception total (3) indicate he has operated as a rotational contributor and backup throughout his tenure, a role that typically generates neutral rather than enthusiastic fan or media perception. The absence of negative coverage—no injury concerns, controversies, or benching reports—keeps his reputation stable within the role-player baseline, though the lack of positive headlines suggests limited fan engagement or optimism about his 2026 prospects. Bush's perception remains pragmatic and understated: a reliable veteran available for depth purposes, but unlikely to generate excitement or significant bidding interest in the open market.