Seahawks Could Cut Former Highly Touted 1st-Round Pick: Analyst

Getty Pete Carroll, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seattle Seahawks could move on from a former first-round draft pick, according to an analyst.

Linebacker Devin Bush, whom the Seahawks signed in March, should be considered a “cut candidate” heading into training camp in July, according to FanSided’s Lee Vowell. Bush signed a one-year deal worth roughly $3.5 million, according to multiple reports. He would have a dead cap value of $2.9 million if cut.

“Why would Seattle possibly release Bush when he is one of the very few experienced inside linebackers the Seahawks have? There are potentially several reasons,” Vowell wrote in a story published June 17. “One of the biggest reasons is that Bush isn’t exactly a Pro Bowler, and wouldn’t have been welcomed back by the Pittsburgh Steelers because Bush just hasn’t been good in a couple of years.”

Why the Seahawks Could Release Devin Bush

According to Pro Football Focus, Bush posted just a 58.8 defensive grade last season. That grade is in line with what he’s produced over his career — a 59.7 defensive grade during the 2020 season and a 62.9 grade during his rookie campaign in 2019. And it was a major improvement over his 2021 defensive grade of 34.4, which was one of the worst in the NFL.

At one point in time, Bush, who turns 25 in July, was expected to have a bright future. He posted a team-leading 109 tackles during his rookie season and was voted third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

He then tore his ACL in 2020 and missed all but five games. He returned in 2021 to start 28 games over the next two seasons but “has taken plenty of criticism for his obvious lack of maturity” and “tone-deaf attitude,” according to a December 2021 USA Today story, which also cited the “impossible expectations” put before Bush.

Why the Seahawks Likely Won’t Release Devin Bush

However, what also makes Bush valuable to the Seahawks — despite his lackluster play — is Jordyn Brooks’ recovery from a torn ACL suffered at the end of the regular season last year. Brooks posted a team-leading 161 tackles and the hope is that he’ll return during the season. In other words, there’s a good chance Brooks won’t be available when Seattle opens the regular season in September.

Head coach Pete Carroll provided an update on Brooks’ injury in April, saying he hoped he’d be ready for training camp.

“Very optimistic on their sides [Brooks and Jamal Adams] and they’re really thinking they’re going to make it so we’re holding good thoughts,” Carroll said. “There’s some optimism that it could happen. We’ll be conservative through that timeframe to make sure that we don’t screw it up by hurrying them along. I’m wide open to they think they can do it, let’s see what happens.”

If Brooks isn’t ready to play, Bush will be the next man up as the projected starting inside linebacker alongside Bobby Wagner.

Vowell outlined some of Bush’s strengths and how he can impact an impact in his first season with Seattle.

“Maybe Bush was just a bad fit in Pittsburgh and the Seahawks won’t be asking him to attack quarterbacks on blitzes like the Steelers love to do,” Vowell wrote. “Having Bush simply take down running backs and do decently in coverage would make Pete Carroll happy.”

However, he warned against some of his weaknesses, which included his lack of ability in pass coverage.

“Bush isn’t good in coverage so this basically makes him a stop-the-run-only linebacker,” Vowell wrote. “Seattle has depth with Jon Rhattigan and Rhattigan, though still needing more reps to get accustomed to playing every down, could be just as efficient stopping the run as Bush.”

Although Bush may be lacking in several areas, the Seahawks likely have to tolerate it before Brooks returns to the lineup.