Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — With the ink not even dry on Nick Herbig’s contract extension, Pittsburgh Steelers “are working” on a contract extension with defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, a source told Steelers Now at minicamp.
Benton was in the Steelers’ media room, supporting his former college teammate Herbig. Benton and Herbig also share an agent, Joe DiBenedetto, who was in town for Herbig’s signing.
Herbig was the first of the team’s 2023 NFL Draft class to earn a contract extension this offseason, but he probably won’t be the last. Asked about that during his post-contract-signing press conference, he went straight to Benton.
“I’d love to keep that whole class here,” Herbig said. “Our class that really set it off, and I think we’ve got a bunch of dawgs in there. I’m excited. I think some things are gonna happen. I hope so. Keeanu Benton is a dawg. He’s definitely one of the best in the league. This is my sixth or seventh year playing with him. I wanna play my entire career with that guy.”
Benton said at OTAs that he wasn’t worried about his contract situation at this point.
“Not really,” he said. “I’m just here trying to come out here, get ready and learn that playbook.”
DiBenedetto hinted that Benton’s role with the Steelers — which is primarily been nose tackle in the team’s 3-4 base alignment his first three years — might not be his best fit going forward earlier his offseason, while also adding that he wants to be a Steelers player for life.
“You could make an argument that Keeanu’s been playing a little out of place there at nose tackle, and maybe he should be a defensive tackle there,” DiBenedetto said on The Fehoko Show with former Steelers defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko. “And that’s something we’ve talked about with Pittsburgh. I think Keeanu, as well, could be one of the best D-tackles in the game.”
DeBenedetto and Benton might be getting their wish, with new Steelers defensive line coach Domata Peko saying at OTAs that swapping Benton and Yahya Black could switch spots from where they lined up last year.
”Black can be one of the best noses in the game if he just keeps on doing what he’s been doing, and us working his butt off,” Peko said. “Really good on his technique and his details. I just want to sharpen him up and get him really going, and try to bring out the best in him.”
That would seem to line up with moving Benton back to end, where he could be poised to take over from Cam Heyward some day, if he and the Steelers can reach a contract extension this offseason.
6-foot-4, 309 pounds, 25 years old, Fourth Season
Acquired: The Steelers drafted Keeanu Benton out of Wisconsin with the 49th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Last Year: Benton had a rough start to the 2025 season, as...
