Steelers Sign Keeanu Benton to Massive Extension

Nov 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) celebrates after a sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Steelers Sign Keeanu Benton to Massive Extension

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI
By Jack Markowski | Last updated Aug 14, 2026 10:14 PM ET

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The Pittsburgh Steelers can scratch another extension off their to-do list.

As reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Steelers have signed interior defensive lineman Keeanu Benton to a four-year, $72 million deal, which will make him the highest-paid player at the position in franchise history.

Defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and the #Steelers have agreed to a four-year, $72M contract extension, sources say. This deal, worth $18M per year, will make Benton the highest paid DL in Steelers history.

The deal was negotiated by agent Joe DiBenedetto of @1OF1FOOTBALL. pic.twitter.com/TnfTWh5NkQ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 15, 2026

Reports of Pittsburgh and Benton being engaged in extension talks appeared to heat up a bit back in early June towards the tail-end of the offseason program after the organization handed out four-year extensions to two other members of its 2023 draft class in Nick Herbig ($100 million) and Darnell Washington ($42 million).

It took a while for the sides to hammer out an agreement, but Benton is now locked in long-term with the Steelers and is officially in place as a true building block of the defense.

A former second-round pick who was college teammates with Herbig at Wisconsin, Benton logged a career-high 5.5 sacks in 2025 and has played in a total of 51 games for Pittsburgh.

Benton is now being rewarded handsomely as he gets set to play more defensive end in a new scheme under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, which will allow him to get after the quarterback more than he did as a nose tackle in the past.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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