Steelers drop $72 million bombshell on Keeanu Benton after career-best season

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a significant investment in the middle of their defense, agreeing with defensive tackle Keeanu Benton on a four-year, $72 million contract extension.

The deal carries an average annual value of $18 million and makes Benton the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in franchise history. 

For Pittsburgh, the extension represents another commitment to keeping its young defensive core intact and Benton’s breakout 2025 regular season helped make the decision easier.

Benton started all 17 regular-season games last year and established career highs with 51 total tackles, 25 solo tackles and 5.5 sacks. He also recorded one pass defended and one forced fumble, becoming a consistent presence along Pittsburgh’s defensive front. 

His 5.5 sacks were a major jump from his first two NFL seasons, when he recorded one sack in both 2023 and 2024. Benton also finished the 2025 season with 12 quarterback hits, another career high. 

Steelers bet big on Benton as defensive star’s role set to grow in 2026

Since Pittsburgh selected Benton in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, the former Wisconsin standout has appeared in 51 regular-season games with 40 starts, totaling 123 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 28 quarterback hits, nine passes defended, three forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery. 

Now, the Steelers are betting there is another level for the 25-year-old defensive lineman.

Benton’s role could expand in 2026 as Pittsburgh looks to maximize his combination of size, strength and interior pass-rushing ability. After producing career-best numbers last season, he enters the new campaign as one of the defense’s most important young pieces.

The Steelers have also been busy securing members of their 2023 draft class. Benton becomes the third player from that group to receive an extension this offseason, joining linebacker Nick Herbig and tight end Darnell Washington. 

At $18 million per season, Pittsburgh isn’t simply rewarding Benton for his production.

The Steelers are paying him with the expectation that his breakout 2025 season was only the beginning.

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