Devin Bush addresses Steelers' decision to decline fifth-year option

Last month, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to decline Devin Bush’s fifth-year option. During OTAs this week, he opened up about it — and said he’s had some productive conversations about the move.

Pittsburgh drafted Bush No. 10 overall in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he made the PFWA All-Rookie Team his first year in town. But injuries and inconsistent play hampered his production, and the Steelers opted not to pick up his option.

Bush made it clear he understood where the Steelers were coming from when they made the call, but added he’s still motivated for this coming season. He noted the “business” side of the game.

“Me and my agent talked about it,” Bush said, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo. “We had discussions. We feel like the team made a decision they needed to make, and we have to make decisions we have to make to move on from it. I wasn’t [ticked] off or anything like that. It’s business. That’s how I looked at it.

“I was motivated regardless of whether they picked up my fifth year or not. I’m just motivated to play football and win.”

Bush also put his current situation into perspective, noting he still gets to play the game this year — the last of his four-year, $18.8 million he signed after the 2019 draft.

“I get the chance to play football again how I want to, for real,” Bush said. “I get the chance to go out there and be myself. I feel like I’m starting a whole new slate, and I feel pretty good about it.”

Last year, Bush started all 14 games, totaling 70 total tackles and a forced fumble to help the Steelers to a 9-7-1 record before an early exit in the playoffs.

On3’s Stephen Samra contributed to this report.