Steelers' Keeanu Benton Offers Direct Statement On His Disappointing Start To 2025 Campaign

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a disastrous start to the 2025 season despite having a record of 1-1. The franchise was able to escape with a win in Week 1 against the New York Jets after a horrific defensive performance, and the defense did not play well again in Week 2 during a loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The offense has its issues as well, but the defense is certainly the team's biggest worry considering the talent on that side of the ball. An immediate fix is needed in order to save Pittsburgh's season, or else things can get ugly very quick.

Pittsburgh rosters the highest-paid defense in the league, as well as a slew of promising, young players. One of the players that fits that category is defensive lineman Keeanu Benton who is currently in his third season. He was a second-round pick back in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has been expected to take a major leap in each of the last two seasons. That leap has not happened, and it even seems like he has regressed through two games in 2025. Benton spoke in a media scrum on Friday about his season and what has gone wrong, and he seems to be able to highlight what he needs to be better at.

"Just being more stout, being more gap sound, and then personally just whooping the block," Benton said. "I feel like I've been getting in blocks, being in my gap, but just not getting off those blocks and making plays."

Benton has been lining up at nose tackle for Pittsburgh, and many have questioned whether or not that position is what is right for him. He doesn't seem to have the size or strength to play in that spot, and many have speculated that he might be better off shuffling over to defensive tackle. The coaching staff does not seem to want to make that change despite Benton's obvious struggles through two games.

Benton has just three total tackles and one hit on the quarterback to start the 2025 campaign, and he is currently last amongst Pittsburgh's starters when it comes to pressures. These numbers are not necessarily inspiring, but Benton believes he is in the right spots; he's just struggling to capitalize and make plays. The pressure is mounting for the former second-round pick to perform as he gets further along into his third season, but things are not going well up until this point.