The Bears are signing former Browns linebacker Devin Bush to a three-year, $30 million deal. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the news on Monday.
Each of Chicago’s first three signings of the 2026 free agency period have come on the defensive side of the ball. Having signed defensive tackle Neville Gallimore as their first move and following that up by signing safety Coby Bryant, the Bears now address their opening at linebacker by bringing in Bush.
Bush, 27, has spent his last two seasons with
the Browns. He was initially a first-round pick by the Steelers in 2019, but he failed to live up to expectations and departed Pittsburgh after his fifth-year option was declined and his rookie deal expired.
After spending 2023 with the Seahawks, Bush has turned his career around in Cleveland. He most recently tallied 125 tackles in 17 games in 2025, adding three interceptions, eight pass deflections, two forced fumbles, two sacks, and two defensive touchdowns. His 86.8 PFSN LB Impact Score ranked No. 12 among all linebackers this past season.
Chicago had an opening in their starting lineup after releasing Tremaine Edmunds last week, freeing up $15 million in cap space in the process. They’ve opted for a replacement with similar value in coverage, which pairs well with the more run-oriented playing style of T.J. Edwards. He and Bush should be a solid starting linebacker tandem, with the recently-extended D’Marco Jackson projecting as their likely LB3 in base formations.
