What’s going on with Devin Bush?
He’s coming off of major knee surgery, but it’s been now over a year since the inside linebacker went down with a season-ending injury and the production is just not there.
In his third year, Bush so far has been a big disappointment for the Steelers defense.
His physical limitations are well known. At 5-foot-11, Bush is undersized at his position, but his speed should make up for that, but it’s unclear if his knee injury is affecting that still
While former Steelers exec Bills general manager Doug Whaley said that it isn’t just physical limitations holding him back, but he is also making mental errors.
“The instincts, the lack of anticipation are some issues that are showing up because when you’re scraping off tackles, there’s going to be a hole right there where you can shoot that gap if you anticipate it and make those TFLs (tackles for loss),” said Whaley on the Fan Morning Show.
Whaley adds while Bush makes plays, he isn’t a playmaker.
Bush was the 10th overall pick, with the Steelers trading up to get him and as Morning Show host Colin Dunlap points out, Bush needs to be one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
But not only is he not one of the best inside linebackers in the league, 2-time Super Bowl Champion and Steelers analyst Chris Hoke tells Cook and Joe, he isn’t even one of the best on the team.
“I’m just going to be honest, I think (Robert) Spillane a better run stopper,” said Hoke.
Hoke also says that with Spillane being an undrafted free agent and the Steelers giving up a late-round draft pick for Joe Schobert Bush “should be an absolute monster out there.”
Hoke is giving Bush a little bit of a benefit of the doubt because of his knee but also says that he’s undersized and get “swallowed up” by linemen.
Hoke adds that the hope with the Steelers is that Bush’s instincts develop sooner rather than later and he uses the talents he does have to get to the ball.
Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch also says that there is concern at the linebacker position and that Bush isn’t staying in during entire NFL games because he is still recovering from his knee injury and also says that he isn’t there yet mentally as well.
Through six games, Bush has one forced fumble, two sacks and 25 total tackles, two of those have been for a loss.