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Bears’ Devin Bush Takes Big Step Back in Week 7 Win Over Patriots
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- Bears’ Devin Bush Takes Big Step Back in Week 7 Win Over Patriots
The Chicago Bears' 30-24 win over the New England Patriots in Week 7 came with some concerning individual performances on defense . Linebacker Devin Bush , who had shown improvement in recent weeks, struggled in both coverage and run defense, raising questions about his ability to handle an expanded role.
With T.J. Edwards sidelined by injury, the Bears need Bush to step up and provide stability at linebacker. Instead, his performance against New England exposed some of the same inconsistencies that have followed him throughout his NFL career. For a player Chicago signed to a significant contract this offseason, the Bears need a much more reliable effort moving forward.
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Bush Was the Worst-Graded Starter in Week 7
Oct 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA;New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) is tackled by Chicago Bears linebacker Devin Bush (12) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
The 2026 free-agent acquisition had made strides in run defense over the previous couple of weeks. His improvement was especially evident in Week 6, when Chicago limited Atlanta's elite rushing offense. However, after Edwards went down with an injury, it was fair to wonder how long Bush could handle the primary off-ball linebacker responsibilities. As it turned out, it didn't take long for those concerns to surface.
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Bush faced six targets in coverage and allowed all six to result in receptions. New England gained 81 yards on those catches, including a 30-yard touchdown. Bush struggled to cover receivers without safety help and had difficulty containing the Patriots in the running game, failing to replicate his recent strong performances. Pro Football Focus gave him a 36.0 grade, the lowest of any starting player on either offense or defense for the Bears in Week 7.
The Bears Need Bush to Be More Consistent
Aug 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Devin Bush (12) reacts against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
The Bears gave Bush a three-year, $30 million contract to address their concerns at off-ball linebacker alongside Edwards. However, his early-season performance has lacked the consistency needed to justify that investment. Chicago trusts him in coverage, but Thursday night demonstrated how quickly things can unravel when he isn't at his best. Bush has the talent and pedigree to become a quality NFL linebacker.
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Consistency has been one of the biggest issues throughout his career. Those concerns were especially evident from 2021 to 2023, when he struggled without a standout inside linebacker alongside him. Chicago is paying Bush to contribute more than simply complementing Edwards. Although Bush has delivered strong performances when he is playing well, his worst outings have been difficult to keep on the field.
The Bears need Bush to find a higher floor in his performance, particularly with Edwards dealing with an injury. One disappointing game doesn't define his season, but Chicago cannot afford repeated breakdowns in coverage and run defense. If Bush is going to fulfill the expectations that came with his contract, he must become a more dependable presence at linebacker—and he needs to start now.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
