Steelers Insider Thinks Keeanu Benton Was Miscast, Now Ready for Bigger Impact

One of the biggest mysteries of the Pittsburgh Steelers' offseason is the future of Keeanu Benton. By all indications, it's becoming increasingly likely that he won't receive a contract extension this offseason. That could be because the Steelers want to see whether Domata Peko and Patrick Graham can help elevate his game. After all, fans aren't alone in believing Benton wasn't put in the best position to succeed under the previous coaching staff. One insider believes he'll have a much bigger impact in the Steelers' new defense.

Ray Fittipaldo joined 93.7 The Fan and said he doesn't buy the idea that Benton doesn't have a future with the Steelers. In fact, he expects Benton to prove this season that he belongs in Pittsburgh for the long haul.

"I'm not on that train … he's a nice player," Fittipaldo said. "What will be interesting to see if he truly was miscast by Teryl Austin and Mike Tomlin … maybe if you make a full time defensive [tackle] instead of a nose tackle there is more potential there."

Benton is primed to continue his ascension

By all accounts, Benton took a major step forward in 2025. He recorded career highs with 5.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 12 quarterback hits, reinforcing the belief that he's still trending upward. He may have an even higher ceiling than he showed last season.

The Tomlin-Austin defense primarily deployed Benton at nose tackle, but that role may not have suited his skill set. Rather than serving as a traditional space-eating, immovable presence in the middle, Benton has shown he's most effective when he can attack gaps and win one-on-one matchups.

In fact, he excelled in those situations against both the run and the pass. There's still room for growth, and Peko's vision for the defensive front suggests Benton could see more opportunities outside of the 0 and 1-technique alignments.

Steelers would be wise to get a deal done before the regular season

While it's understandable that the Steelers want to evaluate Benton in the new defense before committing to an extension, they'd be wise to reach an agreement before the regular season rather than waiting until next offseason.

The Steelers are expected to work toward an extension with Joey Porter Jr. before the season, but nothing is guaranteed. If Porter remains unsigned as well, the team could face a difficult decision next offseason, especially if only one franchise or transition tag is available.

If Benton has a breakout season, he'll become a strong candidate for either the franchise or transition tag. However, if the Steelers have to choose between tagging Benton or Porter, Benton could be headed for free agency unless the two sides agree to an extension beforehand.

That's why Pittsburgh should prioritize extensions for both Porter and Benton this year. It will require creativity from general manager Omar Khan, but finding ways to make those deals happen has become one of his strengths.