Steelers' Unreliable Former First Round Pick Trying To Get Revenge By Signing With Browns

Despite Bush's lack of success thus far in his professional career, he holds a good grudge. He has been vocal about his distain for the Steelers, and openly cheered on social media when the Steelers lost in 2023. Bush has also appeared on podcasts where he has trashed the organization, as well as the coaching style of Mike Tomlin. 

The Steelers and Seahawks squared off in Week 17 of the 2023 NFL season, and won the game over Bush and Seattle by a score of 30-23. This was one of the three games that Bush started during the season, and he had his best game of the year by far. He finished with 18 total tackles, including one tackle for loss. He didn't do enough to help his team win the game, but it was obvious he was playing with a chip on his shoulder against Pittsburgh. 

Bush can now be in position to play against the Steelers twice a season, including once in Pittsburgh. Bush is not exactly a fan-favorite, and he is referred to by most as a bust since he was a top 10 pick who the organization had no interest in re-signing. The Steelers paid a hefty price to acquire Bush, giving up their first and second round pick in 2019, as well as their third round pick in 2020. Bush would have had to play at a Pro Bowl level for many years in Pittsburgh to make that trade feel like it was worth it. 

Steelers Have Been Struggling To Find Shazier's Successor At Linebacker

After Bush's rookie year in 2019, when he recorded two interceptions, a sack, and over 100 total tackles, it looked like Pittsburgh had found a linebacker that could fill the big shoes of Shazier. However, once Bush came back from his injury for the 2021 season, it was obvious he was not the same player as he was pre-injury. 

Ever since, the Steelers have been making signings during free agency and and selecting guys like Mark Robinson in the draft to try to find a productive inside linebacker. When healthy, the linebacker group from 2023 was the best the Steelers have had in a while. Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, and Kwon Alexander all played extremely well. Alexander and Holcomb suffered season-ending injuries however, and the Steelers were back to having weak inside linebacker play. Roberts and Holcomb are under contract in 2024, and the Steelers made a splash in free agency this week by signing Patrick Queen.