Mark Madden: Devin Bush's disappointing play, attitude have impact on entire Steelers defense
Inside linebacker Devin Bush is entering the final season of his contract. But Bush doesn’t seem worried about his Pittsburgh Steelers tenure potentially reaching its end.
“I’m still going to be in the NFL, so we’ll see,” Bush said.
Gee, Devin … you sure about that?
Bush had a great rookie season after the Steelers traded up to draft him 10th overall in 2019, making 109 tackles and being named to the All-Rookie team.
But then Bush blew out his ACL in 2020. He played and acted indifferently in 2021, dropping to 70 tackles and displaying a fraction of his prior speed. Bush couldn’t tackle, couldn’t cover and looked like he didn’t give a damn. (The above statement reflects.)
Some blamed his knee. But if it didn’t come all the way back in 2021, perhaps it was because Bush didn’t rehab hard enough. (That’s been debated internally.)
It’s early days, but Bush looks no better this year. His hesitancy to take on blocks was evident in Saturday’s preseason opener. He absurdly whiffed on a tackle of Seattle running back Travis Homer, turning a short gain into a 16-yard scamper.
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Bush has been put into a legit battle for a starting job with undrafted ham-and-egger Robert Spillane, and Spillane appears to be winning. (This despite Spillane failing badly in pass coverage on several occasions Saturday.)
Just being put into that competition demeans Bush.
Bush won’t get cut. He figures to stay and start even if Spillane performs better in the preseason. It justifies having traded up to get Bush.
But Bush performing like a bust compromises the Steelers defense. (So would Spillane’s inadequacies if the Steelers opt to start him or give him significant snaps.)
In Monday’s practice, the Steelers used a lot of dime. Just one inside linebacker on the field, namely Myles Jack. That put three safeties and three cornerbacks on the field in run situations, two safeties and four corners in passing situations.
The Steelers feel they have depth at defensive back. If they do, it’s a whole lot of mediocrity.
But this experimentation has the same stench of last season, when inferiority at inside ’backer turned safety Minkah Fitzpatrick into a tackler. A de facto linebacker.
Fitzpatrick made an astounding 124 tackles, tops among NFL defensive backs. Opposition backs got to the second level with impunity.
But Fitzpatrick only figured in four takeaways. His impact was lessened.
The defense can’t afford that. It needs Fitzpatrick to have the freedom to roam and sniff out takeaways. In 2019, Fitzpatrick was involved in eight takeaways in 14 games after joining the Steelers via trade from Miami.
The Steelers defense is the NFL’s highest-paid. Last year, with much of the same personnel, it ranked 24th in overall defense, 20th in scoring defense and dead last in rush defense. Sure, it led the NFL in sacks. That didn’t matter enough.
If that defense performs in similar fashion despite its price tag, that’s a one-way ticket to Palookaville. Ben Roethlisberger isn’t there to provide fourth-quarter bailouts.
Don’t blame Spillane for not being good enough. He can’t help it.
You can blame the Steelers because they didn’t see this coming. They didn’t just need Jack. They needed Jack times two.
But you can mostly blame Bush.
Bush has badly disappointed in play and attitude. He is supposed to be elite but doesn’t come close. Bush should have come roaring into training camp determined to reclaim his spot. He didn’t. He should have been motivated when the Steelers didn’t pick up his fifth-year option. He wasn’t.
Bush was a 10th pick overall. Spillane’s only real talent is that he tries hard. How is that a competition? But it is.
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