Linebacker Devin Bush was one of the Chicago Bears' key additions in free agency, and his versatility is a positive trait that will help out defensive coordinator Dennis Allen this season.
Happy Easter, everyone to those who celebrate.
For this Bears mailbag article, let's look into linebacker Devin Bush and the versatility he brings to the Chicago Bears' defense.
How many linebackers have lined up in the slot & corner like Devin Bush? -- @Bear_wit_Me_
Thank you for the question. If you want to get into the exact number of linebackers who have lined up in the slot and at corner, I could scroll through Pro Football Focus' pages of data and give you an exact number, but I don't if that is so most helpful.
I do have some numbers for you, though. According to PFF, 96 linebackers had at least one snap or more at corner last season, and 72 linebackers had at least one snap or more in the slot. So, there is a decent amount of linebackers who can align in different spots other than the box.
The Browns lined up Bush in the slot 47 times last season, tied for 41st in the NFL, and he lined up five times at corner -- tied for the 15th most. Former Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds had nine snaps at corner (tied for the 7th most) and 70 snaps in the slot (18th in the NFL).
The Browns did like to align Bush on the defensive line last season, finishing with 129 snaps there, good for 13th in the league.
To expand on your initial question, Bush provides Allen with a three-down linebacker who is capable of stopping the run and can be an asset in coverage. I know PFF numbers are not everything, but Bush graded out well for his 2025 season.
He finished the fourth-best coverage grade among linebackers (80.4), and his run defensive grade was eighth out of 88 linebackers (87.3). While watching the All-22 of Bush's performance against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 -- his highest PFF overall grade of the season -- he came off the field when the Browns brought an extra defender onto the field. He played just three snaps in the slot during that game.
As the season continued, he gradually saw more snaps in the slot during games, but how the Browns used him, might not be the best indicator of how Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will utilize him in Chicago's defense.
The Athletic asked NFL executives about teams moves in free agency, and one exec had this to say about Bush.
"Devin Bush is the athlete that they like," an exec told The Athletic. "They will probably either (blitz) him or match him underneath."
Using Bush in the ways described would make sense, considering he does have elite speed at the position. He ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting Combine in 2019. Obviously, that is eight years ago at this point, and Bush tore his ACL in 2020. But his speed is still there. His 97-yard pick-6 against the Cincinnati Bengals last season is good example of the playmaker's skill.
The Bears signed Bush to a three-year, $30 contract in free agency. General manager Ryan Poles, head coach Ben Johnson and Allen see a clear vision on how Bush can elevate this Bears defense.
Now it will be up to the 27-year-old linebacker to capitalize on the opportunity he has been given in Chicago.