The New York Giants absolutely need to make this move to address a major hole.
The New York Giants have several very clear needs heading into NFL free agency, and while linebacker isn't exactly a premium position anymore, it's still a big need for the club.
The Giants cut Bobby Okereke on Tuesday night, saving themselves $9 million that they can put toward the open market this offseason.
Okereke was a solid player in New York, but it became clear in 2025 that he was declining, so the Giants' decision to release him was expected.
But now, Big Blue must find an answer, and it really should do so without spending the No. 5 overall pick int the NFL Draft on Sonny Styles.
Luckily for New York, this free-agent class is teeming with talent at the linebacker position, and one of the most intriguing names of the bunch is Devin Bush.
Bush is a former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers who had a strong rookie campaign but never quite materialized with the Steelers after that.
The University of Michigan product spent four seasons in Pittsburgh between 2019 and 2022 before moving on to the Seattle Seahawks for one year in 2023.
Devin Bush makes a tackle. Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images.Bush then made his way to the Cleveland Browns, where he resided for a couple of years and enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025. This past season, Bush racked up 125 tackles, a couple of sacks, three interceptions (including two pick-sixes), a pair of forced fumbles and eight passes defended.
The 27-year-old is now hitting free agency and is being projected by Spotrac to land a three-year, $26.7 million contract, which would average out to $8.9 million annually.
While that isn't a complete bargain for an off-ball linebacker, it's a good price for Bush, and the Giants should be willing to pay it.
New York desperately needs help with its run defense, and while adding a run-stuffing defensive tackle in the draft may be the best way for the G-Men to address that, signing Bush would also help significantly.
Bush registered an 87.3 run defense grade at Pro Football Focus in 2025, which ranked eighth among 88 qualifying linebackers. Even in 2024 when his playing time in Cleveland was more limited, he was at an 86.4 run defense rating.
Clearly, the Pembroke Pines, Fl. native is a strong run defender, and that is exactly what the Giants need. Plus, Bush is still relatively young.
This seems like a slam-dunk signing for New York, and the Giants should be on the phone with Drew Rosenhaus (Bush's agent) as soon as the legal tampering period opens next Monday.
NY Giants Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Giants. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.