Which Steeler is Under the Most Pressure this Season?

However, the player who is going to bear the most weight on his shoulders this season is Devin Bush. The entirety of the defense is going to have to take it to the next level next year. Whether it's Trubisky or Kenny Pickett, you can’t expect a quarterback in his first year on the team, or in the NFL, to carry the load. Devin Bush is the last piece of that defense.

The new additions in Myles Jack and Levi Wallace are proven commodities in this league. The recently signed Larry Ogunjobi fills the role of the retired Stephon Tuitt and will split time most likely with Tyson Alualu, and everyone knows what to Expect with Cam Heyward and TJ Watt. The only player who no one knows to expect from is Bush.

The Steelers went outside their normal method of operation to trade up to the 10th overall pick three years ago to draft him. Despite his disappointing performance this season, it is important to remember that the Steelers made that trade for a reason. In his rookie season he showed that he was special. He made 109 total tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions. 

Prior to his ACL tear in 2020, he recorded almost 30 tackles in five games. In 2021, he only amounted 70 total tackles and, in many cases, looked lost on the field. However, that struggle does not make him a bust. Last season was only his second full season in the league, so it is hard to know what to expect from him and whether he’s a bust. 

However, there is one major difference between Bush’s upcoming season and his last. Bush had to spend his offseason last year rehabbing his knee. Working to get back into the shape in general, rather than focusing on getting into true game shape, or taking his game to the next level. Rehab takes away from an athlete’s ability to improve on any deficiencies in their game. This year, Bush can just get better at football, rather than trying to get healthy.

However, that fact is a double-edged sword. Just because he can get better at football, doesn’t mean he will. With a full season to get better and not rehab, he has no excuse to struggle. What’s more, he has a linebacking expert in Brian Flores. Bush can only get better, and if he doesn’t, his time in Pittsburgh may come to a disappointing end.



Bush needs to get back to his rookie season form, so this defense can be as dominant as everyone expects. Without his performance, the rest of the defense can pick up the slack for him. Last year he missed tackles, gaps, and looked all around bad. If he plays that way once again this year, he will be an anchor to this defense, and not in a good way. Instead of being an anchor in terms of dependability, he will be the anchor that keeps this defense from moving where it needs to be.