Steelers To Extend DT Keeanu Benton

A Benton extension was a known priority for Steelers general manager Omar Kahn, who has now inked three members of the 2023 draft class (his first as a GM) to multiyear contracts in recent months. Khan previously awarded significant raises to tight end Darnell Washington (four years, $42MM) and outside linebacker Nick Herbig (four years, $100MM). Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. could be next, though the sides have not come close to an agreement.

Khan spent the Steelers’ 2023 first-round pick on offensive tackle Broderick Jones, who has not met expectations since they took him 14th overall. The other four have emerged as foundational players, however, helping make up for the first-round misfire.

Benton, a second-rounder and the 49th overall pick in his class, has put together three straight 17-game seasons in the NFL. After starting nine games as a rookie and 14 in 2024, the former Wisconsin Badger took over as a full-time first-teamer during a career-best season last year.

While recording a 64.09% defensive snap share in 2025, Benton set personal highs in tackles (51), quarterback hits (12), tackles for loss (six) and sacks (5.5). Pro Football Focus ranked Benton a middling 66th in overall performance among 127 interior D-linemen, dinging him for his work against the run. On the other hand, PFF gave the 6-foot-4, 309-pounder the 20th-highest pass-rushing grade at his position. Benton finished an even better 15th among DTs in pass rush win rate.

Led by previous head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers’ prior staff deployed Benton as a nose tackle during his first three years. He could be in for a more versatile role under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. Regardless, as 16th-year man Cameron Heyward draws closer to the end of his superb career, the Steelers have done well to stack young talent along the line. Benton, 2025 first-rounder Derrick Harmon and ’25 fifth-rounder Yahya Black could all be part of the solution in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future.