Chicago’s defense was one of the NFL’s biggest weaknesses last season.
But one free-agency move may have quietly changed everything: Devin Bush.
Analysts Say Devin Bush Could Be the Perfect Piece to Fix the Bears’ Defense
The Chicago Bears entered the offseason knowing one uncomfortable truth.
Their defense simply wasn’t good enough.
Despite occasional flashes and a few timely turnovers, the unit struggled in nearly every critical area—especially against the run and in coverage. Opposing offenses repeatedly exploited the middle of the field, leaving Chicago’s defense scrambling to keep up.
So when the Bears signed linebacker Devin Bush to a three-year, $30 million deal, the move didn’t generate the same flashy headlines as blockbuster signings around the league.
But according to several NFL analysts and advanced metrics, that signing may actually be the smartest move Chicago made all offseason.
A Signing That Flew Under the Radar
Bush’s contract ranked seventh in annual value among linebackers signed during this free-agency period, making the deal surprisingly affordable considering his talent.
For Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson, the priority this offseason was clear: add speed to the defense.
Bush checks that box perfectly.
The former No. 10 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has long been known for his elite athleticism, sideline-to-sideline range, and ability to cover ground in both the running and passing game.
That skill set fits exactly what defensive coordinator Dennis Allen wants to build in Chicago.
Why Bush Fits Dennis Allen’s Defense
Allen’s defensive system relies heavily on Cover 2 concepts, a scheme that demands linebackers capable of covering large portions of the middle of the field.
For that system to work effectively, linebackers must be able to:
- Drop quickly into coverage
- Track tight ends and running backs
- Close passing windows in the intermediate zones
Last season, the Bears simply didn’t have the right personnel to execute those responsibilities consistently.
After releasing Tremaine Edmunds, the team was left with only two off-ball linebackers who had logged significant snaps—and neither naturally fit the role required in Allen’s system.
That’s where Bush enters the picture.
The Numbers That Stand Out
Advanced metrics from Next Gen Stats paint an impressive picture of Bush’s performance last season.
Among linebackers with at least 250 coverage snaps, Bush allowed just 0.49 yards per coverage snap, the second-best mark in the entire league.
He also recorded:
- Three interceptions
- Two defensive touchdowns
- Only one touchdown allowed in coverage
In a league where linebackers are increasingly targeted by modern passing attacks, those numbers stand out.
Bush also proved effective against the run.
He recorded 75 run tackles in 2025, anchoring the Cleveland Browns’ run defense and showing the physicality needed to hold up in the middle of the field.
A Major Upgrade Over Tremaine Edmunds
One of the biggest surprises revealed by analytics comparisons involves Bush and the player he essentially replaces: Tremaine Edmunds.
According to Pro Football Focus, Edmunds finished last season with a 52.1 coverage grade, ranking 50th out of 88 qualifying linebackers.
Bush, meanwhile, posted an 80.4 coverage grade, which ranked fourth in the entire league.
The difference is striking.
Even more surprising is the financial comparison: Edmunds is scheduled to make $2 million more per year than Bush.
For Chicago, that means they may have upgraded the position while actually paying less.
A Player Ready for His Breakout?
Bush’s career has been something of a roller coaster.
The talent has always been obvious, but injuries and inconsistency prevented him from fully establishing himself as one of the league’s elite linebackers.
Now, at 27 years old, he may be entering the prime of his career.
Some analysts even see parallels between Bush and Demario Davis, the star linebacker who blossomed after joining the New Orleans Saints under Dennis Allen.
Like Bush, Davis arrived with talent but hadn’t yet reached his full potential.
In Allen’s system, he became one of the NFL’s most dominant linebackers.
Chicago’s coaching staff appears to believe Bush could follow a similar path.
A Calculated Gamble That Could Pay Off
The Bears didn’t need another flashy signing.
They needed a player who could fix a major weakness in their defensive scheme.
Devin Bush might be exactly that.
The analytics support it.
The scheme fit makes sense.
And the contract carries relatively low risk compared to many free-agency deals.
If Bush finally strings together multiple elite seasons, the Bears may soon look back at this signing as one of the most important moves of their rebuild.
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