Steelers sign first-round LB Bush for reported $18.9M

[May 13, 2019]   The Pittsburgh Steelers signed linebacker Devin Bush to his rookie contract Sunday, a four-year deal with a fifth-year option reportedly worth nearly $19 million.

The Steelers traded three picks to the Denver Broncos to move up to the No. 10 slot to draft the 20-year-old Michigan star last month. The Broncos received Pittsburgh's first- and second-round selections in 2019 and a 2020 third-rounder.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the total value of Bush's deal at $18,871,768, all fully guaranteed.

Bush was a consensus All-American and named the 2018 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 66 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks for the Wolverines. In 2017, he posted career highs with 95 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

"He's an all situations linebacker," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "A three-down type of guy, versus the run, versus the pass, be it in coverage or in pressures. Those are just the tangible things.

"We were equally excited about his intangibles. He comes from a football family. He is a football guy. Everyone speaks very highly of him not only as a player, but a person. His leadership skills are unquestioned. The position he plays is like a defensive quarterback and I think that is something that comes very natural to him."

Bush's father, Devin Bush Sr., played safety in the NFL for eight seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (1995-98), St. Louis Rams (1999-2000) and Cleveland Browns (2001-02).

--Field Level Media

[© 2019 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2019 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.