The Seahawks addressed one of their clearest offseason needs in the early stages of free agency, signing former Steelers linebacker Devin Bush.
Bush, a former first-round pick, joins the Seahawks after spending four seasons as a starter for the Steelers, who traded up to select him with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2019 draft. Bush, 24, is the son of former NFL safety Devin Bush, who was also a first-round pick.
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With starting middle linebacker Jordyn Brooks tearing his ACL late in the season, leaving his status for the start of the 2023 season in question, and with fellow starter Cody Barton signing with Washington this week, inside linebacker was a position the Seahawks knew they needed to address this offseason.
"It definitely is a need," general manager John Schneider said Thursday on Seattle Sports 710 AM. "I'd be lying to you if (I said) it wasn't."
Signing Bush doesn't mean the Seahawks are done adding at linebacker, but he does give them a veteran with significant starting experience and production on his résumé. After earning All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Award honors at Michigan in 2018, Bush began his NFL career by starting 15 of 16 games played, recording 109 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one sack, four fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Bush's play that season saw him named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team while finishing third in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Bush unfortunately tore his ACL early in his second season, playing just five games, and saw his production decline in 2021 coming back from that injury. Bush appeared in all 17 games last season, starting 14, and had 81 tackles, his most since his rookie season. Most impressively, Bush was credited with only three missed tackles for the season according to Pro Football Focus.
Take a look at photos of linebacker Devin Bush from his first four seasons in the NFL. Bush signed with the Seahawks as a free agent on March 17, 2023. Read more.
University of Michigan linebacker Devin Bush prepares to throw out the first pitch before the baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians, Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
University of Michigan linebacker Devin Bush throws out the first pitch before the baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians, Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan linebacker Devin Bush celebrates backstage after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2019 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Michigan linebacker Devin Bush poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Bush in the first round at the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft choice in the NFL Draft Devin Bush, right, answers questions beside team president Art Rooney II, left, during a football news conference, Friday, April 26, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers' first round draft choice in the 2019 NFL football draft, Devin Bush wears blue suede shoes during a news conference, Friday, April 26, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft choice in the NFL Draft Devin Bush answers questions during a football news conference, Friday, April 26, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during NFL football practice, Friday, May 10, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during an NFL football training camp practice in Latrobe, Pa., Friday, July 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during an NFL football training camp practice in Latrobe, Pa., Sunday, July 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55), left, and running back Jaylen Samuels (38) battle during an NFL football training camp practice in Latrobe, Pa., Sunday, July 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) lines up during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Pittsburgh, Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Pittsburgh, Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush arrives for an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny (20) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) and Terrell Edmunds (34) during an NFL football game , Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush, right, and Seattle Seahawks defensive back Lano Hill, left, swap game jerseys after an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. The Seahawks won 28-26. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) tackles San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush celebrates a touchdown after picking up a backward pass by Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush celebrates his touchdown during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) runs the ball for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019 in Carson, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019 in Carson, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) plays air-guitar as he celebrates against the Cleveland Browns during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) tries to get past Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) on a scramble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) Cele braves after making a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) leads the defensive huddle before an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) on the sideline against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) celebrates after recovering a fumble during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) sits on the bench during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) dances during a timeout during an NFL football game, Monday, November 8, 2021 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) runs onto the field during introductions before an NFL football game, Sunday, November 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) defends during an NFL football game, Sunday, November 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) tackles Detroit Lions running back Godwin Igwebuike (35) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) plays in an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday Nov. 21, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Steelers 41-37. (John McGillen via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) runs onto the field before an NFL football game, Sunday, December 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Tennessee Titans running back D'Onta Foreman (7) runs the ball towards Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) heads to the locker room following an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Pittsburgh, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. The Steelers won 19-13. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) goes through drills during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush takes part in drills during practice at their NFL football training camp facility in Latrobe, Pa., Wednesday, July 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane (41) talks with Devin Bush as they walk to a drill during NFL football training camp in Latrobe, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs after the catch as he is pursued by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Steelers defeat the Jaguars 16-15. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush watches from the sideline during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) runs off of the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sep. 11, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) reacts during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) is announced before an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush warms up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) lines up on defense during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) passes the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) makes a hit during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
