The Chicago Bears agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract that includes $21 million guaranteed with linebacker Devin Bush on Monday during the opening hours of 2026 NFL free agency. The 27-year-old had the best year of his seven-year career in 2025, starting all 17 games with a career-high 125 tackles, three interceptions — two returned for touchdowns — and two forced fumbles. Bush's outstanding performance made him one of the top defensive players available this offseason.
Chicago needed linebacker help after releasing Tremaine Edmunds last week to free up millions in salary cap space. The Bears' first three signings of the 2026 free agency period came on the defensive side, with Bush following the additions of defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and safety Coby Bryant. Bush pairs well with the more run-oriented playing style of T.J. Edwards, creating a solid linebacker tandem for Chicago's defense as it continues its rebuild.
Bush, a former first-round pick of the Steelers in 2019, saw Pittsburgh trade up with three draft picks to select him. His early career didn't live up to expectations, but after spending 2023 with the Seahawks, Bush turned his career around in Cleveland. Now the Bears are betting on continued success. The addition gives coach Ben Johnson and GM Ryan Poles more speed and coverage ability at linebacker as the franchise tries to build on last season's progress. This signing represents one of the biggest moves in the early days of free agency as both teams make their championship-level adjustments.