The Pittsburgh Steelers have another reason to feel encouraged about their defense after Sunday's 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Paris. Defensive tackle Keeanu Benton delivered a performance that caught the attention of longtime Steelers insider Mark Kaboly. For General Manager Omar Khan, the timing could hardly be better. Pittsburgh committed significant money to Benton during the offseason, and the young lineman is beginning to show why the organization believes in his future.
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Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton (95) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Benton signed a four-year, $72 million extension in August, worth $18 million annually. That investment came with expectations beyond simply being a dependable starter. The Steelers need him to become a disruptive presence in the middle of their defense, especially as veteran Cam Heyward approaches the later stages of his career. One strong afternoon in Paris does not settle every question about that contract, but it offers promising evidence.
Kaboly discussed Benton's performance while assessing Pittsburgh's defensive front. His reaction was emphatic, particularly given the financial commitment the Steelers made before the season. The insider believes Benton delivered the kind of showing that helps justify Khan's decision.
"Well, not if Benton keeps playing like he did over in Paris," Kaboly said via 93.7 The Fan. "He had a spectacular game. He earned some of that $18 million he got in the offseason right there."
The distinction matters: $18 million is Benton's average annual contract value, not the total size of his extension. Pittsburgh committed $72 million across four new years, betting that a former second-round selection could grow into a cornerstone of its defensive line. That is a substantial investment, and it naturally invites scrutiny whenever the unit struggles.
Against New Orleans, however, the defensive front supplied an answer. The Steelers held the Saints to just 18 rushing yards, making it difficult for their offense to establish balance. No single defender deserves all the credit for that result, but Benton's work inside contributed to a collective effort that dictated the game's physical tone.
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Pittsburgh Steelers’ Keeanu Benton celebrates after a sack at Ford Field in 2025.
Interior defensive linemen can be difficult to evaluate through traditional statistics alone. Their responsibilities include controlling gaps, occupying blockers and preventing running backs from finding clean lanes. When those assignments are handled effectively, linebackers have more freedom to attack and offenses face longer, less manageable downs. Pittsburgh saw the benefits of that formula in Paris.
That is why Kaboly's praise matters. Benton does not need to produce a sack every week to justify his role. He needs to become the type of defender opponents must account for on every snap, particularly when they attempt to run between the tackles. Sustained consistency would make the entire defense more dependable.
Khan's decision was never solely about what Benton had already accomplished. Pittsburgh drafted him in the second round in 2023 and watched him develop into a regular starter. His 2025 season included a career-high 5.5 sacks, providing a glimpse of the pass-rushing production that could accompany his work against the run. The extension reflected confidence that his best football remained ahead.
Steelers' Keeanu Benton Gives Khan Encouraging Return On Investment
The bigger challenge now is repetition. One spectacular outing is encouraging, but the Steelers are paying Benton to deliver impact over multiple seasons. As Pittsburgh prepares for Cleveland and a difficult stretch of its schedule, it needs the defensive line to remain one of the team's strengths. Benton has an opportunity to turn an impressive performance into a genuine breakout stretch.
His progress could also change how opposing offenses approach Heyward and the rest of Pittsburgh's front. If Benton consistently wins his matchups, opponents cannot concentrate their blocking attention on established stars without consequences. That would give Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham more flexibility to create pressure and defend the run without sacrificing coverage elsewhere. That kind of improvement could be crucial when Pittsburgh faces stronger opponents later.
There is still work to do before anyone can declare the contract a bargain. But the Steelers did not hand Benton that extension hoping for ordinary production. They paid for the possibility of a difference-maker, and Kaboly believes Paris offered a compelling glimpse of that player.
Can Keeanu Benton build on his performance and become a dominant force for the Pittsburgh Steelers? Share your thoughts with me on X @anthonyghalkias.
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