The following is the seventh of nine position previews in advance of training camp.
As one of the Bears' top free-agent signings, Devin Bush bolsters a linebacker group that returns veterans T.J. Edwards, D'Marco Jackson and Noah Sewell.
Bush, 27, is coming off a career year in Cleveland where he started all 17 games and set career highs with 124 tackles, three interceptions and eight passes defensed while adding seven tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery, highlighting his versatility defending both the run and pass.
Bush brings valuable experience to coordinator Dennis Allen's defense, having appeared in 98 NFL games with 78 starts for the Steelers (2019-22), Seahawks (2023) and Browns (2024-25).
When asked about what attracted the Bears to Bush in March, general manager Ryan Poles narrowed in on one quality.
"His ability to take the air out," Poles said. "I mean, when he triggers, he goes. The play style, he plays fast. That helps with range and coverage. Again, if you think DA's system, it's a perfect fit."
Among returners, Edwards possesses the most experience as he heads into his eighth NFL season, having entered the league the same year as Bush. Edwards missed seven regular season games last year due to injury and suffered a season-ending fibula injury in the wild card win over the Packers. In the 10 games he played and started last season, he recorded 67 tackles, one interception and three quarterback hits.
Edwards spent the majority of the offseason at Halas Hall rehabbing and rejoined the team during OTAs and veteran minicamp practices.
"I don't want to put a date on it or anything like that," Edwards said in April about his return. "But knowing me, I will push as hard as I can to move that as quickly as possible. I also want to be smart about it too … I know that I'm on a really good plan with the trainers and I'll be ready when it's time to go."
Injuries to several linebackers last season allowed Jackson to step up, which resulted in the Bears resigning him to a two-year deal in March. During his third NFL season, Jackson started five games, including the Divisional Round game against the Rams, and appeared in 18 contests.
Jackson made the most of his opportunities when called upon, totaling 42 tackles, three passes defended, one interception and one sack. His best performance came Nov. 23 in his first career start against the Steelers, where he led the Bears with 15 tackles, including a tackle-for-loss. Three weeks later against Cleveland, he recorded his first NFL sack and interception, which earned him NFL Defensive Player of the Week honors.
"I was very, very pleased because he can play multiple positions," linebackers coach Richard Smith said of Jackson. "Last year, there was one game that, the backup guys don't get many reps during a week of practice during the season, somebody went down, and he walked right in and did a great job. So, his value is his versatility, playing well on special teams also. Now he's in a position that we are glad to have him back, and he will be competing for one of those spots."
Sewell, another key contributor both in the linebackers room and on special teams, returns to the Bears for his fourth season. Sewell also battled various injuries last season, yet appeared in 13 games with nine starts and totaled 59 tackles and three tackles-for-loss.
The Bears also added linebacker depth this spring, starting in free agency by bringing back a familiar face in veteran Jack Sanborn. After spending his first three NFL seasons in Chicago, where he appeared in 48 games, including 19 starts, the Chicagoland native appeared in six games for the Cowboys last season.
A month later, the Bears drafted Keyshaun Elliott in the fifth round out of Arizona State. The Missouri native played in 25 games over two seasons for the Sun Devils, totaling 163 tackles, nine sacks, 18 tackles-for-loss and four passes defended. Elliott earned All-Big 12 second team honors his senior season as one of just two FBS players to notch 90+ tackles, 14+ tackles-for-loss and 7+ sacks.
Also competing for a roster spot in training camp are returners Ruben Hyppolite II and Nephi Sewell as well as newcomers Jon Rhattigan, Tony Fields II and Wayne Matthews III.
