Steelers' Keeanu Benton Sends Challenging Message To Pittsburgh's Rookie Defensive Tackles

The Pittsburgh Steelers initially had one of the better defenses in the NFL in 2024. After a 10-3 start and a two-game lead in the AFC North, Pittsburgh was humming on both sides of the ball. Both the offense and the defense ended up falling apart, however, as the team's four-game losing skid to conclude the regular season derailed any hopes of winning in the postseason. The defense suffered some injuries, and not being able to stop the run ultimately became a huge problem for the black and gold.

Last season, the Steelers' interior defensive line group was suspect to begin with. The fan base knows what kind of player Cam Heyward has been throughout his career, but his growing age and a recent season damaged by injuries were things fans kept in the back of their heads. Behind Heyward in 2024 was second-year nose tackle Keeanu Benton as well as Larry Ogunjobi, who will be spending the 2025 season with the Buffalo Bills. 

Benton didn't make the huge leap from year one to year two as he had hoped, but he's ready for a big third season.With that particular group being the defense's biggest weak point heading into the 2025 offseason, the Steelers spent two draft picks in this year's draft bolstering the defensive tackle spot. With the organization's first-round pick, instead of a quarterback, it elected to draft Derrick Harmon. 

The franchise also added Yahya Black in the fifth round after taking edge rusher Jack Sawyer in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Steelers brought in some serious competition for Benton, as well as guys that they hope can have long careers to replace Heyward with once he retires from football. 

In a recent interview with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's own Chris Carter, Benton was asked if he thinks he'll be the primary nose tackle or if he and the new rookies will be moving around a lot. Benton's response came as a challenging message to Harmon and Black, two players that fans are very excited about entering their rookie campaigns. 

"I feel like I'm going to be - I'm going to be in the game, I'll tell you that," Benton told Carter after Thursday's session of Organized Team Activities.

Benton's statistics in his first two professional seasons were nearly identical, and the Steelers were likely hoping his numbers would improve. One thing to keep in mind is that he has been steadily available and healthy through two years and hasn't had to miss any games. Benton became more of a threat against the pass last season as he defended six passes, compared to two in his rookie season, and also came up with a big interception against the Cleveland Browns. 

Regardless of who gets the most playing time on the interior defensive front between Benton, Harmon, and Black, the execution will need to be there. Pittsburgh's lack of ability to stop the run late in 2024 will be something that opposing teams will look to attack early in the 2025 season. Benton will need to make a jump in his third season, or else the rookies may take advantage of their opportunities which will affect who gets a second contract down the road. 

Steelers' Defensive Line Should Terrorize Opposing Offenses During 2025 Season

With the Steelers addressing the defensive line this offseason, and in a big way, the outside edge rushers should also see greater opportunities getting to the quarterback. 

There seemed to be a lack of splash plays from the defensive line at the end of last year, and much of that has to do with their inability to stop the run and the injuries they faced with guys like TJ Watt, who was playing through an ankle injury. As long as the rookies like Harmon, Black, and Sawyer are each able to provide a little bit of something, Pittsburgh's defense is set up for great success in 2025. 

What do you think of Benton's comments? Was he challenging Harmon and Black in any way? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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