Keeanu Benton will remain in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future.
Benton and the Steelers agreed to a four-year extension worth $72 million on Friday, according to multiple reports.
The deal, which holds an average annual value of $18 million, makes Benton the highest-paid defensive lineman in Steelers history.
Both sides had been engaged in contract talks over the past two months, with the negotiations reportedly heating up once Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington received four-year extensions.
Benton, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has grown to become a staple on the defensive line for the Steelers.
Last season, Benton recorded a career-best 5½ sacks and 51 tackles while playing in all 17 games.
During his breakout season, then-Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin lauded his rapid increase in productivity on the line.
“I just think there has been an increase in productivity,” Tomlin said of Benton in January. “Certainly, we love activity, but productivity trumps activity, and I think he’s taken a big step this year in productivity. Five and a half sacks, coming off blocks in the run game and winning, shedding, and tackling area major component of run productivity.
“I think his arrow pointed up for him in just about all areas of his game, which leads to more productivity.”
Despite his career year in 2025, Benton set a lofty goal for himself this season.
“Me personally, I want at least eight to 10 sacks,” Benton said on “The Irish Steelers Podcast” earlier this week.
“I wanna get after that passer a lot more this year.”
