The Pittsburgh Steelers have had to rely on their defensive line depth throughout the 2026 season, and several players are making the most of their opportunities. With injuries forcing changes to the rotation, younger defensive linemen have been asked to handle bigger roles, helping Pittsburgh maintain a physical presence up front.
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Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Yahya Black (94) during 2026 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers veteran Cameron Heyward recently highlighted that progress on his Not Just Football podcast, specifically praising nose tackle Yahya Black for the way he has performed with increased responsibility.
"A guy I haven't given enough credit to is Yahya Black. He's playing some of the best football of his career, playing with good hands, getting off blocks," Heyward said.
Heyward also credited Keeanu Benton and the rest of the defensive line room, emphasizing that Pittsburgh's success has come from a collective effort. With younger players getting valuable snaps, the Steelers are seeing immediate contributions while potentially building a stronger foundation for the future.
Defensive linemen must hold their ground, keep blockers from reaching the linebackers and make it difficult for opposing offenses to establish a consistent rushing attack. As Heyward pointed out, Black's improved hand usage and ability to disengage from blockers have helped him become a more effective presence up front. His development is significant because Pittsburgh needs more than its established veterans to produce throughout a long season.
Black's increased role gives Pittsburgh another option it can trust while Derrick Harmon works back from injury. The Steelers will still need the young defensive lineman to keep improving, but Heyward's praise suggests his development has been noticeable inside the locker room. For Black, these opportunities also provide a chance to establish himself beyond a rotational role. Every snap against NFL offensive linemen offers experience that cannot be replicated in practice, and continued improvement could make him an increasingly important piece of Pittsburgh's defense.
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Steelers defensive lineman Yahya Black (94) celebrates during a game in Week 7 of the 2026 NFL season against the New Orleans Saints.
While Black's development deserves attention, Benton remains a major part of the Steelers' defensive line success as well, even when his contributions do not always show up in the box score. Benton has been one of the most frequently double-teamed interior defensive linemen, forcing opposing offenses to dedicate extra blocking resources to keeping him under control. That attention can make it harder for Benton to record individual statistics, but it also creates opportunities for the players around him. When Benton occupies multiple blockers, Pittsburgh's linebackers have more freedom to roam, attack gaps and make plays against the run. Rather than allowing offensive linemen to climb to the second level and disrupt the linebackers, Benton can help tie up those blockers and create cleaner paths for his teammates to make tackles.
Steelers' Defensive Line Depth Could Pay Off As The Season Goes On
Pittsburgh's success against the run has been a season-long strength, with the defensive front helping keep several of the league's top running backs under control. The Steelers have held Bucky Irving (19 carries, 46 yards), Jonathan Taylor (15 carries, 45 yards), and Bijan Robinson (21 carries, 83 yards) to fewer than 100 rushing yards each in their respective matchups. Most recently, they held the New Orleans Saints to just 18 rushing yards total in their Paris matchup, showing their ability to limit explosive ground games. That consistency reflects the work happening across the defensive line, from Benton occupying multiple blockers, to younger players like Black stepping up when called upon.
The Steelers have reason to feel encouraged. Black is turning increased opportunities into production, Benton is absorbing attention from opposing blockers, and younger players are gaining experience that could prove valuable in the coming weeks. As Heyward emphasized, the group must continue working together. If those contributions remain consistent, Pittsburgh could emerge from this stretch with a deeper defensive line rotation and a defense better equipped to handle adversity.
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