Keeanu Benton

Benton suffered the ankle injury in Week 5 against the Colts. The Steelers defensive tackle, who signed a four-year, $72 million contract extension in August, has had a quiet season statistically while being double-teamed at the highest rate of any defensive tackle in the NFL. Benton missing time would be another blow to a defensive line already playing without second-year defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.

The deal was first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Benton, who turned 25 in July, is entering his fourth season in the league after the Steelers selected him in the second-round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Coming off a career-best season that saw him record 5.5 sacks, Benton would’ve been set to hit free agency next offseason without a contract extension. Now Benton joins LB Nick Herbig, TE Darnell Washington and K Chris Boswell on the list of Steelers to receive extensions this offseason. With his $18 million per year contract, Benton is now the highest-paid defensive lineman in Steelers history.

Kaboly and his co-host, Chris Mack, were wondering aloud why the Steelers have not yet signed CB Joey Porter to an extension this offseason when the conversation shifted to Benton. Both Kaboly and Mack were seemingly of the opinion that signing Benton, 24, to an extension does not appear to be a priority for the front office. Since joining the Steelers as a 2023 second-round pick, Benton ranks fifth on the team in sacks (nine) and quarterback pressures (75), 10th in solo tackles (82) and ties for sixth in TFLs (13). He is a capable defender, who should stick around in the league, but he may not earn a lucrative extension from team that drafted.