The New York Jets have money to burn this offseason.
One area of the team that desperately needs some love is the defense. Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus identified Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush as a key free agent that the Jets should pursue in free agency.
“The Jets’ escape from purgatory didn’t get off to an auspicious start under Aaron Glenn, with most of the team’s staff not being retained. The good news for New York is that general manager Darren Mougey has both the No. 2 overall pick and [plenty of] cap space, which could enable the team to sign a stud,” Locker wrote.
“Bush has played like one of the premier linebackers in the NFL since 2024 with an 88.9 overall PFF grade as well as a 90.6 PFF run-defense grade. More specifically, his 80.4 PFF coverage grade from last year would aid a defense whose linebackers posted the fourth-worst coverage grade. Glenn had a centerpiece linebacker in Jack Campbell in Detroit, and he could attract another in the 27-year-old Bush this spring,” Locker added.
Jets Defense Needs an Injection of Talent
Bush, 27, will turn 28 before the start of the 2026 season.
The former Michigan product entered the league as the No. 10 overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.
Bush spent the first four years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He then took a one-year sabbatical with the Seattle Seahawks. Most recently, Bush spent the past two seasons with the Browns.
He has appeared in 98 games and has made 78 starts. Bush has racked up over 524 tackles, seven sacks, 33 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, six fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, five interceptions, and 24 pass deflections.
For the first time in his career, Bush started a full 17-game season in 2025. He is coming off a career year in interceptions (three), pick sixes (two), pass deflections (eight), forced fumbles (two), sacks (two), total tackles (125), and quarterback hits (four).
Bush Is in Line for a Sizable Pay Raise
After a series of cheap one-year deals, Bush is set to hit it big in free agency.
According to Spotrac’s calculated market value, Bush is expected to command a three-year $26.69 million deal on the open market. That $8.9 million annual salary would place him No. 21 among the highest-paid linebackers in football, per Over The Cap.
The last three contracts that Bush has signed have been minimal deals: $3.25 million (2025), $1.5 million (2024), and $3.5 million (2023), per Spotrac.
Jets LB Room Needs a Serious Upgrade
The Jets’ defense was terrible by nearly every possible metric. However, you can trace a lot of their issues to the second level.
Quincy Williams was either hurt or not playing well during the 2025 campaign. Jamien Sherwood was the first player to be handsomely rewarded by this new regime. It was to the tune of $45 million, with $30 million of that guaranteed. He was one of the biggest disappointments on the squad last year.
The Jets need a leader who can galvanize the defense and who can make game-changing plays.
Bush could be exactly what the doctor ordered for this Jets defense.
Jets Pushed to Pursue Former Top-10 Pick Defender in Free Agency