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The Browns have a big decision to make on linebacker Devin Bush in free agency this offseason
After another disappointing season, it’s safe to say that the Cleveland Browns have their work cut out for them this offseason. Obviously, the biggest questions revolve around the team’s quarterback position, where Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel will likely welcome at least one new face to the team as the Browns attempt to create some competition for the starting job.
There are other orders of business on the offseason to-do list, though, one of which involves the future of former first-round pick Devin Bush. With free agency on the horizon, Bush picked a great time to put together the best season of his career. And yet, with Mike Rutenberg taking over as the team’s new defensive coordinator, it’s fair to wonder whether or not Bush is a part of the team’s long-term plans.
Browns Have to Make Big Devin Bush Decision
Bush was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and he spent the first four seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he finished third in the Defensive Rookie of the Year race in 2019, his play gradually slipped as time went on. After spending one season with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023, Bush found his way to the Browns in 2024, and he has managed to get himself back on track.
After an encouraging 2024 campaign, Bush broke out in 2025. Playing alongside star rookie Carson Schwesinger, Bush finished with 125 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions (two of which he returned for touchdowns), eight pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. In the blink of an eye, Bush became the player the Steelers hoped they were getting when they drafted him nearly eight years ago.
Considering how he is the team’s top pending free agent, it may seem like re-signing Bush is a no-brainer decision, but it isn’t that simple. Not only do the Browns have a new defensive system in place with Rutenberg, but paying Bush a big-money deal could make the front office’s quest to upgrade its offense even more difficult. As Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN recently laid out, Cleveland faces a tough decision when it comes to Bush’s future with the team.
“With Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah sidelined for the majority of the past two seasons because of a neck injury, Bush has established himself as a reliable starter,” Oyefusi wrote. “Bush, though, is due for a raise after playing in 2024 and 2025 on a pair of one-year deals that amounted to $2.5 million in average annual salary … The Browns have greater needs on offense this offseason, but retaining Bush would ensure that the entirety of Cleveland’s starting defense remains intact.”
Should the Browns Re-Sign Devin Bush?
GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 07: Devin Bush #30 of the Cleveland Browns takes the field to play the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on September 07, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
There’s no doubt that the Browns are going to at least explore re-signing Bush, but it will likely come down to money. Simply put, Cleveland needs to invest in its offense this offseason, so if the price for Bush gets too high, the front office may have to turn elsewhere. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah could return in 2026, and it may be worth taking a flier on him rather than spending big on Bush.
If the price is right for Bush, the Browns should obviously do what they can to re-sign him, but with Schwesinger looking like a star in the making, the need for him simply isn’t as great as it may be for another team. It’d be tough to lose Bush after he just put together such a strong campaign, but it ultimately wouldn’t be a major surprise to see him find a new home this offseason.
Owen Crisafulli Owen Crisafulli is a Breaking News Writer at Heavy. In addition to writing for Heavy, Owen works as a Content Producer for More Views Media. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli
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