The Pittsburgh Steelers selected former Michigan linebacker Devin Bush 10th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft Thursday night after trading up 10 spots with the Denver Broncos in the first-round. That trade required the Steelers to give the Broncos their first and second-round selections in this year’s draft along with a third-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. With Bush now the Steelers first-round selection this year, it’s time to look at the contract he’s expected to sign with team.
Bush, who is represented by Rosenhaus Sports Representation, is expected to sign a four-year contract with the Steelers at some point prior to the start of training camp that should total out at around $18,871,626 and include a signing bonus of around $11,744,820, according to estimates by Over the Cap. Bush’s contract is also expected to be fully guaranteed.
As you can see in the estimated layout of the contract below, Bush is expected to have a base salary of $495,000 in 2019 with his salary cap charge expected to be around $3,431,205. Bush’s remaining salary cap charges in 2020, 2021 and 2022 are expected to be around $4,289,006, $5,146,807 and $6,004,608, respectively.
Until Bush does sign his rookie contract, he shouldn’t factor into the team’s Rule of 51 total as his salary cap charge place holder is the minimum base salary for rookies in 2019, which is $495,000. With Bush being the Steelers first-round draft pick this year, his contract should include a fifth-year option that the Steelers can choose to pick up three years now. In the current CBA, the fifth-year option salary for the top-10 picks is the transition tender (average of the 10 highest salaries) at a player’s position when the option is exercised.
Last year, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen was the 10th overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft and he was the first player chosen in the top 10 to sign his rookie contract. That happened on May 10, so chances are good that the Steelers will have Bush signed to his rookie deal very quickly and maybe even before the team starts their annual rookie mini camp a few weeks from now.
| YEAR | BASE | BONUS PRORATION | ROSTER BONUS | CAP CHARGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $495,000 | $2,936,205 | $0 | $3,431,205 |
| 2020 | $1,352,801 | $2,936,205 | $0 | $4,289,006 |
| 2021 | $2,210,602 | $2,936,205 | $0 | $5,146,807 |
| 2022 | $3,068,403 | $2,936,205 | $0 | $6,004,608 |
