After letting both Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki walk in free agency, the Cleveland Browns then added Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush to fill out their linebacker room.
Bush, a former first round pick, will have to compete for a roster spot with the likes of Tony Fields II (who is penciled in as the starting SAM and has starting experience with the Browns) for not only a starting job but for a roster spot as well.
Despite being selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Bush has not found much footing since he tore his ACL during his second season in the league. The Steelers would go on to decline his fifth-year option, and Bush spent the 2023 season with the Seattle Seahawks.
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz wonders whether or not the addition of Bush, who played well in limited snaps with the Seahawks a year ago, could boost their already stellar defense:
“The Browns played base defense only 16% of the time last season, but they were fantastic with just 3.6 yards allowed per play. Bush played only 250 snaps in Seattle but had better numbers than he did in his final year for the Steelers. Can he help the Browns continue to shut down the run when they bring a third linebacker on the field?”
On paper, it’s easy to see Bush as the Takitaki replacement. Takitaki was their starting SAM linebacker in base defense, however, Takitaki also rotated in at MIKE linebacker. With Jordan Hicks signing to a two-year deal, this is likely not something that Bush will be asked to do unless his play warrants it.
With the selection of the physical Watson, and with Fields II established on the roster, Bush is not a lock to make the roster.
This is not to say the former first rounder cannot find his footing with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and bounce back, but placing any real expectations on him to be an X-factor or impact player on the defense is premature.
At just 26 years of age, however, the Browns could find a needle in the haystack if Schwartz can bring the former Michigan linebacker back to life in 2024.