Steelers sign Keeanu Benton to record $72 million contract extension

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/benton-keeanu/MHZzVvyn/"]Benton[/a]'s new deal makes him the highest-paid defensive lineman in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/pittsburgh-steelers/AXWJxS6R/"]Steelers[/a] history.[/p][embed guid="947ecc26-0768-4ee1-ad3f-4e63c8a0ee24" url="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2088446017255485800?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]The 25-year-old has played in all 51 regular season games for the Steelers since the team selected him in the second round (49th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. [/p][p]After putting up exactly 36 tackles, eight quarterback hits, and one sack in each of his first two seasons, Benton finished the 2025 season with career highs. [/p][p]He finished last year with 51 tackles, 12 QB hits, six tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass deflection in 17 starts. [/p][p]Benton joins teammates [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/herbig-nick/QTfZwzKG/"]Nick Herbig[/a] (four years, $100 million), [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/washington-darnell/W4fCyaCe/"]Darnell Washington[/a] (four years, $42 million), and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/boswell-chris/vLJvJ2Y8/"]Chris Boswell[/a] (four years, $28 million), who signed big contract extensions this year.[/p][p]The Steelers kick off their regular season against the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atlanta-falcons/hClIiQIR/"]Atlanta Falcons[/a] on Sunday, September 13th.[/p][infobox id="20b251ad-200b-415c-a27c-559697b10377" /]