Keeanu Benton signs rookie contract with Pittsburgh Steelers

Keeanu Benton, the beefy defensive tackle from Wisconsin, finally signed his rookie contract with the Steelers.

That’s according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Rapoport tweeted “Steelers second round DT Keeanu Benton has signed his rookie contract, source said. Benton has guaranteed money in the third year of his contract, the first time ever for the 49th pick.”

#Steelers second round DT Keeanu Benton has signed his rookie contract, source said. Benton has guaranteed money in the third year of his contract, the first time ever for the 49th pick. The deal was negotiated by @JoeNDiBenedetto and @KenSarnoff of 1 OF 1 Agency.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 23, 2023

The Steelers selected Benton in the second round with the 49th overall pick. NFL teams covet defensive tackles who can stuff the run and rush the quarterback. Four defensive tackles heard their names called on night one of the NFL Draft. Benton was the first DT off the board in round two.

Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin indicated that Benton will start his career at nose tackle.

Pittsburgh now has only two draft picks left to sign. And they both went ahead of Keeanu Benton. The Steelers’ unsigned first rounder is Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones. Pittsburgh also selected Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr with the first pick of the second round. He’s also yet to be signed.

Benton’s four-year deal is worth $7,333,132, which includes a $2,333,188 signing bonus. And as Rapoport pointed out, he’s the first player to go 49th who has some guaranteed money in the third year of his contract.

Benton started with the Badgers since his freshman season. In his four years at Wisconsin, he made 81 total tackles, with 19 of those for losses. He sacked the quarterback nine times, defended four passes and forced two fumbles. He anchored a Wisconsin defense that ranked first in the country against the run Benson’s junior year.

It’s difficult to gauge defensive linemen during mini camps. However, the Steelers have liked what they’ve seen in Benton.

Karl Dunbar, the Steelers defensive line coach, said of the rookie nose tackle:

“He’s doing a great job,” Dunbar said. “He hit the ground running when he got here after the draft for rookie minicamp. He’s a smart kid. He’s a big athletic, mobile kid. So, I’m really happy with what we got.”