Steelers Now
A former first-round pick by of the Pittsburgh Steelers has found a ton of success with his new team.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush etched himself among the NFL’s best players in Week 18, being named as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
AFC Players of the Week! (Week 18)@dreeday32 | @_Dbush11 pic.twitter.com/5XGB7ueZdp
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2026
Bush had a stellar performance in the Cleveland Browns 20-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the regular season finale, recording 14 tackles and a 97-yard interception returned for a touchdown.
The 27-year-old began his NFL career as the No. 10 overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Steelers.
However, after a promising rookie season, during which he recorded 109 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, two interceptions and four passes defensed, Bush tore his ACL and was never able to return as the same player.
Pittsburgh then declined Bush’s fifth-year option in 2022 and he signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks the next offseason.
Bush wasn’t able to shed the first-round bust label in Seattle, though. In 13 games, he only had 37 tackles while playing primarily on special teams and as a backup linebacker on defense.
In 2024, Bush earned an opportunity with with Browns and he never looked back. In his first year in Cleveland, he recorded 76 tackles, one sack and three passes defensed before breaking out this year with a career-high 125 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, three interceptions, eight passes defensed and two touchdowns.
It’s been quite the turnaround for Bush, but it’s certainly difficult for Steelers fans to watch after he seemed like a lost cause.
Bush will become a free agent once again after the 2025 season, but it’s safe to assume Cleveland will do everything it can to bring back the once believed Steelers first-round bust. Bush will likely welcome it too with a chance to continue facing the team that gave up on him twice a year.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Ex-Steelers First-Round Pick Earns NFL Honors
