Report: Steelers Discussing Contract Extension With Keeanu Benton

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be concocting another extension as mandatory minicamp comes to an end.

According to Steelers Now's Alan Saunders, the Steelers are working towards a deal with defensive lineman Keeanu Benton, though that doesn't necessarily mean an agreement is imminent.

"The Steelers are working toward a new deal with DT Keeanu Benton, per source," Saunders wrote. "Nothing necessarily imminent, but it's in the works. His agent, Joe DiBenedetto, who he shares with Nick Herbig, was at the team's facility today."

The #Steelers are working toward a new deal with DT Keeanu Benton, per source.

Nothing necessarily imminent, but it's in the works.

His agent, Joe DiBenedetto, who he shares with Nick Herbig, was at the team's facility today.
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) June 3, 2026

After inking EDGE rusher Nick Herbig to a four-year, $100 million extension, it seems the Steelers will be diligent in locking up the members of their 2023 draft class as they enter the final seasons of their rookie contracts.

In fact, Herbig hinted at Pittsburgh getting additional deals done and called Benton, his former teammate at Wisconsin, "a dog" while also saying that he wants to play the rest of his career alongside him.

Benton appears slated to move around the Steelers' defense and thus shouldn't line up primarily as a nose tackle, instead spending more of his time at three-tech, 4i and five-tech.

He's been a productive player for Pittsburgh since entering the league as a second-round pick three years ago, and the organization is working towards making sure he sticks around for a while longer.

Dec 21, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) celebrates after a sack during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

What Could Benton's Extension Look Like?

Benton won't sniff the amount of money Herbig received or that Porter Jr. is set to, but he'll still earn a nice payday.

He turned in the most productive campaign of his NFL career thus far in 2025, finishing with 5.5 sacks and 51 tackles while starting all 17 games.

Furthermore, he logged 746 defensive snaps and 31 pressures (per Pro Football Focus), both of which were career highs.

The Steelers moving him around the defensive line more should work to his advantage, as he's more of a strong athlete with good pass rushing chops rather than a traditional nose tackle who is stout against the run.

Perhaps an apt comparison for Benton is a player like Javon Kinlaw, who signed a three-year contract worth $45 million with the Washington Commanders last offseason.

Dre'Mont Jones is another solid comparison for Benton, and he inked a three-year, $36.500 million deal with the New England Patriots back in March.

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