Insider Claims Steelers Are Furious With Former 2nd-Round Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot to prove to fans and media pundits alike as a Week 3 contest against the New England Patriots approaches. One of the main concerns thus far has been the defensive front not being able to stop the run. Through two games, the unit has allowed 149.5 yards per game, which is an absolutely ridiculous number for a defense that is labeled as the highest-paid in the NFL. The organization won't have a chance to be competitive in an AFC full of firepower unless Teryl Austin's unit can figure out how to stop opposing offenses.

An asterisk can be put next to the first two matchups because rookie first-round selection, Derrick Harmon, hasn't had the opportunity to play, but what has been the most worrisome has been the individuals filling in for him that haven't been able to perform at an encouraging level. One of those players is Keeanu Benton, a former second-round pick who has not blossomed into the player that the team wanted him to be.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo appeared on a practice report show with the Patriots game on the horizon, and went into some more detail about the defensive line. While the team is high on the other rookie in Yahya Black, Dulac noted that there are some real concerns internally about what has happened with Benton over the years.

"The key is being able to be physical and be aggressive, but still being able to make the play, and that's what they're hoping to see from [Yahya] Black," Dulac said. "You know, they really like this guy and he's only going to improve in time. The converse of that Ray, and you mentioned Keeanu Benton, was told to me from inside the building, that they actually think he's regressed."

There is not a single member of the Steelers' coaching staff or front office that can be pleased if the feeling is that Benton is getting worse. Spending a second-round selection on a member of the front seven on defense is supposed to provide stability, but it has done the exact opposite. It shouldn't surprise anyone if Benton begins to see the field less and less, while Black finds more opportunities to show that he should be playing more often.

It's not time to hit the panic button yet in Pittsburgh, but many are very close to doing so. If the run defense continues to get shredded on the ground, there are not going to be many chances to stop any offense that is on the other side of the ball. The Steelers also preach winning the time of possession, something that will be extremely difficult to do if running backs are having their respective ways with Pittsburgh's front seven.

It would be exciting to see Harmon and Black in action together. It's possible that they could be the future on the defensive line for the Steelers. Benton's regression can't be looked at as positive in any way, so Dulac's words hint at the very possible fact that the franchise is not happy with the University of Wisconsin graduate. Austin and co. won't tolerate a player getting worse, and then performing poorly on top of it.

Steelers Won't Last In The AFC North With Poor Rushing Defense

All teams within Pittsburgh's division have capable rushing attacks, even the Cleveland Browns now that rookie Quinshon Judkins is in the fold. It is imperative that the defense in the Steel City figures out how to stop the run, as it will lead to more passing attempts and a better chance to get to quarterbacks. It shouldn't come as a shock if Benton is soon watching from the sidelines more so than he is playing on the field.

Do you think the Steelers made a mistake in drafting Benton in 2023? Let us know in the comments below!

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