LATROBE, Pa. -- 2022 is a big year for Devin Bush, but it sure seems like he's not too worried about having a job beyond the upcoming season.
"It’s a business," Bush told the media Tuesday morning, regarding the Steelers declining his fifth-year option. "I mean, I’m still going to be in the NFL. So, we’ll see."
Tuesday was the first time Bush had spoken a word to anyone in the media since the team arrived at Saint Vincent College, and it came after a less-than-ideal showing in Saturday's 32-25 preseason victory over the Seahawks. The fourth-year inside linebacker was not credited with any tackles while playing a sizable chunk of the first half.
The Steelers chose to decline Bush's fifth-year option after a lackluster 2021 campaign, where his 70 tackles paled in comparison to his 109 tackles in his rookie season two years prior. That makes the 2022 season potentially his final shot at remaining in Pittsburgh for what should have been an easily-decided fifth season in black and gold.
That's at least what Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin envisioned when the Steelers traded up to the No. 10 pick to snag him in the 2019 draft. Bush was taken with the intention of him being the guy in the middle of the Steelers defense for a long time. An ACL injury limited his sophomore season to only five games, but the decision to not pick up his option is a clear cut message that initial faith has been shaken.
With one preseason game under his belt and only three practices remaining in Latrobe, Bush is still considered a co-starter with Robert Spillane while newcomer Myles Jack is the only true starter in the group. When asked what he needs to do to be fully ready to go for the season, Bush provided only four words: "More reps. More experience."
That may be true, but the quality of the reps absolute have to improve. There can't be many more of these during the preseason:
An ACL injury is no joke. Some players come back and are never the same again. But, Bush maintains the injury is "behind" him. Meanwhile, George Pickens is stealing the headlines every single day in training camp as he's coming off an ACL injury of his own.
Not all players are cut from the same cloth. Some show more humility than others. Not every great player is humble, nor does he need to be. But, the lack of accountability is ... concerning. If it wasn't, Bush would already be under contract for a fifth season.
Players should feel pressure going into a contract year. Sometimes they don't always say the right things to the media, but let their play on the field do the talking.
"I’ve got 17 weeks," Bush said regarding any pressure from going into a contract year. "We’re going to see what happens after that."
There's still two preseason games and an entire regular season to prove people wrong. Now is probably not the time to pace oneself.
