The Pittsburgh Steelers are securing long-term depth. And it is music to to fans ears.
Off-season acquisitions enticed us during the lulling months of the NFL calendar. Every roster decision gave Steelers Nation something to chew on. Now, Omar Khan’s front office is working to keep key players in Pittsburgh through contract extensions.
And the elephant in the room is growing. Will Keeanu Benton receive an extension like the rest of his peers?
We have already witnessed Pittsburgh take care of business recently. The Steelers had five notable players entering the final year of their contracts who were viewed as extension candidates. Chris Boswell, Nick Herbig, and Darnell Washington were the first to strike gold. Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton remain waiting for a potential deal.
I believe extending a standout cornerback like Porter Jr. is a no-brainer decision. Young cornerbacks with his frame and coverage ability do not grow on trees. Pittsburgh would be foolish to let that conversation drag on too long.
But when thinking about Benton, I pause and consider. And that alone says a lot.
It is impossible to ignore Benton’s presence on the roster. Especially after last season. In 2025, the former second-round pick earned 51 total tackles and ranked fourth in sacks among his peers (5.5). It's an improvement from previous seasons and hints at a player still climbing toward his ceiling.
That is where this conversation becomes tricky.
The Pittsburgh Steelers must carefully evaluate Keeanu Benton before offering a contract extension
Benton is not just another rotational body.
He's a young defensive lineman with power, disruption, and enough athletic ability to create problems. Pittsburgh’s defensive identity starts in the trenches. And Benton has shown significant development. The Steelers can have all the stars they want on the edge, but if the middle of the line gets bullied, everything else crumbles.
Another successful season could raise Benton’s future price tag. That would be horrific news for Pittsburgh. The NFL does not hand out discounts to ascending defensive linemen. Once a player proves he can consistently wreck pockets and clog running lanes, the market reacts. And unfortunately, it does not care about cap comfort.
Sure, Derrick Harmon is a stud and will eventually become the defense’s cornerstone. His rise gives Pittsburgh confidence about the future of the defensive front. But with Cameron Heyward’s future uncertain, it would be wise to keep all valuable assets close to home.
That includes Benton.
I do not believe rewarding him with a player-friendly contract is the right move right now. He has not reached the level where Pittsburgh should break the bank or hand him a blank check. But a team-friendly offer would not hurt anyone.
In fact, it might be the smartest move available.
The Steelers have enough cap flexibility to finish business with Joey Porter Jr. while still offering Benton a motivating new deal. It may sound risky to pay early, but it could cost Pittsburgh less now than it will later down the line.
And for a franchise trying to maintain defensive dominance, keeping young trench talent in-house is never a bad investment.
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