The Pittsburgh Steelers are chugging along through training camp, trying to establish some level of chemistry with each other, as well as the new coaches. One of the hallmarks of this staff is versatility, so expectations are that there will be a lot of moving parts all over the team, whether it's to help deal with injury, or for different personnel groupings.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy works with his squad during Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
Obviously, a new coach brings a lot of change, and that's already been seen ever since Head Coach Mike McCarthy was first hired. When it comes to the personnel, the biggest change so far has been the edge rushers moving around across the field and switching sides: primarily TJ Watt. The hope is that this constant movement frees up more one-on-one opportunities for the star edge rusher while making opposing offenses think.
Recently, another big change was revealed. The Steelers released their first depth chart of the season, and it has one big change on it. Defensive lineman Keeanu Benton is no longer set to play nose tackle. In fact, he's not even a starter at this point as former fifth-round pick Yahya Black is officially listed as the starter at 0-tech.
Benton has practiced all over the line of scrimmage throughout training camp, but he is officially listed as Cameron Heyward's backup for now. For someone who was seen as a candidate to get a massive payday soon, or even get dealt for a possible first-round pick, he's not even projected to be one of the first men on the field when the Steelers begin the 2026 season at home.
Keeanu Benton has been excellent in these team periods. Consistent pressure from 95. Has played NT, 3T, and 1T in this period.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) August 3, 2026
It was surprising to see the Steelers constantly force Benton to play nose tackle for a couple years, as he's built more like a 3-tech that would play next to an edge rusher. It didn't help that the Steelers drafted Derrick Harmon in the first round to take that spot too, as that left Benton's only path to starting being right over the center. These questionable decisions of the past seem to have cost the former second-rounder his job for the upcoming camapaign.
Steelers' Problems For Benton Is Great News For Black
Of course, Black is more fit to play nose tackle. He has the size to go up against typical centers while also displaying enough athleticism to wreak havoc in either A gap. It's been happening at camp, as team insider Mark Kaboly noted in his recent article on X.
"Yahya Black has been a quiet standout so far. His size and strength are hard to account for in the middle of the defense," Kaboly said. "Even a stud like Zach Frazier has had some issues with the sheer size of the man. When Black wants to push the pocket, he’s going to push the pocket."
If Zach Frazier is having trouble dealing with Black, then you know there's something special there. If the former fifth-round pick is giving Frazier fits, then it should be expected that he makes every other center that the Steelers go against miserable in each game. Benton couldn't do that from the nose tackle position consistently, so it's very clear why he officially lost that job.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Yahya Black chases Justin Fields in the backfield while playing the New York Jets in 2025.
Whenever Heyward, Black, or Harmon need a breather, Benton will likely be the first one to get called in, so it's not like he will be forced to sit on the bench and miss extended time. It's just a shame to see a great talent like his get put in the wrong spot for years. McCarthy and his staff have no plans on trying to force the square peg in the round hole anymore while Black will get the chance to thrive as well.
What do you think about Benton being benched in favor of Black? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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