Veteran linebacker Devin Bush enters his eighth season in the NFL as one of the newcomers on the Chicago Bears’ defense.
He’s in his first season with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, and since joining the team, he’s been a staple piece in the linebacker corps. He’s been healthy, available, and productive. That can’t be said about a lot of players at the position.
T.J. Edwards has missed time in training camp because of a calf strain. Rookie Keyshaun Elliott missed most of training camp with a back injury. Bush has brought stability and plenty of speed to the middle of Allen’s defense.
Devin Bush is ready to have massive role in Bears' defense in 2026
Bush told reporters at Halas Hall that while there have been “little hitches here and there” learning Allen’s scheme, it’s still football in the end. The Bears’ linebacker highlighted his speed, ball tracking and knack for making tackles for loss and creating sacks as strengths of his game.
He knows those types of plays will come with time, but it first starts with meshing with the players around him. Even though Bush hasn’t had much time on the field with Edwards, he isn’t concerned about building chemistry with his fellow linebacker. With Edwards healthy, the two will continue to get more reps on the field.
The Bears will need Bush to turn into the playmaker he was last season. He finished as a top-10 linebacker in his overall defensive grade, according to Pro Football Focus. He ended with 125 total tackles, two sacks, three interceptions (including two pick-sixes), and eight passes defensed.
With Kyler Gordon out for at least the first four weeks, and potentially longer, Malik Muhammad is likely to start at nickel – a position that requires a player to provide heavy run support. Bush will have to make up for Gordon’s absence, which puts more on his plate as he prepares for his first season in Chicago.
What will help Bush for the upcoming season is all the work he's had against the Bears' starting offense. Caleb Williams has challenged Allen's defense, especially on extended plays. Bush has also had to face tight end Colston Loveland and D'Andre Swift all summer. Those two know how to stress all areas of the field.
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The Bears signed Bush to a three-year, $30 million contract – showing the confidence they have in the 28-year-old linebacker. Allen’s defense will need Bush to play up to the standard he displayed last season for the unit to take a positive step in 2026.
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