The Chicago Bears made several signings in free agency to upgrade the defense. Which newcomer has the most to prove in Chicago?
The Chicago Bears spent a majority of their money in free agency on the defensive side of the ball, adding players on all three levels.
General manager Ryan Poles signed safety Coby Bryant to a three-year, $40 million contract. Linebacker Devin Bush signed a three-year, $30 million deal. Defensive tackle Neville Gallimore signed for two years, $12 million (with incentives).
Outside of creating takeaways, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's unit struggled in many areas last season. The Bears recognized those weaknesses and spent in free agency to ensure those problematic areas don't impact the team in 2026.
While all of the Bears' free agent additions will have something to prove this season, Bush easily carries the most pressure heading into the season.
Bush is coming off his best season as pro. In his last season with the Cleveland Browns, Bush, 27, finished with 125 total tackles, two sacks, three interceptions (including two pick-6s) and eight passes defensed.
The 5-foot-11, 235-pound defensive playmaker ended with Pro Football Focus' fourth-highest coverage grade among linebackers (80.4).
Bush's 2025 season should create excitement for the disruptive presence that was added to the linebacker room, but can Bush replicate that type of impact in Allen's defense?
Outside of last season, Bush's rookie year was the last time he had over 100 total tackles (109). The former 10th overall pick in 2019 has five career interceptions -- three occurred last season and two came as a rookie.
In his highest-graded game from last season against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2, Bush finished with five total tackles, two pass breakups and one sack. He was all over the field, but he was subbed out when the Browns brought an extra defensive back.
That doesn't mean Allen will utilize him in the same way, but given his contract ($21 million guaranteed), he should be a player that is on the field. He ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the 2019 combine, so he has the speed to cover ground whether that is in man or zone, which gives Allen flexibility in how to use him.
The two most productive seasons in Bush's seven-year career were in 2025 and 2019. Allen needs that type of impactful player, especially the one who made game-changing plays in Cleveland last season.
The Bears signed Bush to a lucrative contract with the vision that his sideline-to-sideline speed will provide a boost to the linebacker room. Now it's up to Bush to prove to his new coaches and teammates that he can live up to those expectations.
