Devin Bush

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		98	524	7.0	5
2025		17	125	2.0	3
2024		16	76	1.0	0
2023		13

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Bears landed a solid value play by securing Devin Bush at $8.9M AAV, earning a B CVI that reflects smart roster building in today's inflated linebacker market. Bush operates as a solid starter who brings proven NFL experience and reliable production at a price point that won't handcuff Chicago's salary cap flexibility. At his current career stage, this deal represents the sweet spot for both sides — the Bears get a dependable veteran presence in the middle of their defense without the premium attached to elite linebackers, while Bush secures meaningful guaranteed money on a team investing in defensive infrastructure. The contract structure likely includes performance incentives that could make this even more team-friendly if Bush exceeds expectations, giving Chicago upside protection on what's already a measured investment. This signing exemplifies the type of calculated roster moves that championship-contending teams make — filling a key positional need with a capable veteran at market-appropriate value rather than chasing big names or bargain-basement gambles.

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 Devin's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Devin Bush remains a reliable two-down linebacker for the Chicago Bears after seven NFL seasons and 98 career games. The veteran, drafted in 2019, has established himself as a consistent run-defender despite recent performance fluctuations. His B+ grade this season reflects a meaningful resurgence after consecutive C+ campaigns in 2023 and 2024. Bush's elite tackle production—7.35 per game versus the 2.19 NFL average—positions him among the league's most impactful defenders in gap assignments. His pass defense metrics are equally impressive, posting 0.47 passes defensed per game, nearly triple the league average of 0.18. Where he falls short is in the pass rush: 0.12 sacks per game trails the 0.15 average, highlighting his limitations as a primary pressure generator. His 0.56 tackles for loss per game rates above average but below elite thresholds, suggesting solid but not dominant impact at the line of scrimmage. Bush's trajectory suggests a player entering his competitive prime after absorbing recent disappointment. His 2025 resurgence indicates he's regained form as a trusted defender, likely benefiting from increased snap count and Matt Eberflus's scheme adjustments. Monitor whether this uptick sustains through the playoffs—another solid season could position him as a valuable three-year contributor, though declining athleticism may eventually limit his ceiling as a coverage linebacker.

How Devin Compares at the Position

Devin Bush ranks 32nd of 339 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Devin between Patrick Queen (B+) just ahead and Eric Wilson (B+) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

Devin Bush's market perception is riding an undeniable wave right now, with public sentiment climbing sharply to an A- after what the NFL media has broadly framed as one of the best free agency moves of the 2026 offseason. Ian Rapoport and other prominent voices were quick to characterize the three-year, $30M deal — at $10M AAV — as a legitimate win for Chicago, not a panicked overpay, and that framing has stuck across major outlets that consistently describe the signing as smart market positioning for a proven NFL starter. The optimism is grounded in real production: in the 2025 season, Bush logged 125 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 interceptions across 17 games, numbers that reinforce the narrative of a healthy Bush as a legitimate defensive anchor — even as his steady-but-not-elite C+ performance grade keeps expectations measured rather than sky-high. That contrast between cautious analytical grading and enthusiastic public reception is actually what makes the narrative so interesting; fans are betting heavily on the upside of his elite 2019 form returning, while analysts are responsibly hedging on his injury history. The Bears' broader defensive investment activity — signing Jack Sanborn, Jaylon Jones, Neville Galimore, and James Lynch in the same window — only amplifies the Bush buzz, framing him as the centerpiece of a deliberate unit-wide rebuild rather than an isolated gamble. Bottom line: the narrative sits in a confident, forward-looking place, and unless health concerns resurface in training camp, there is nothing on the horizon threatening to pull this perception back down.