Steelers DC Teryl Austin expects Keeanu Benton to 'really take a jump' this season

Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton showed up at OTAs 10 pounds lighter than he was last season, his rookie year. But in the big picture, the coaches expect him to grow.

Not in girth, but grow as in being a steady, if not spectacular defensive tackle in the NFL.

“Keeanu is big and athletic and strong,” said Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “The sky is the limit for that guy. I think the world of him. (And) I think he has a lot of room for growth. I expect him to really take a jump and really be a dominant player inside.”

Steelers still have nose tackle Montravius Adams on roster

The Steelers selected Benton, the former Wisconsin standout, in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. And he turned in an impressive rookie season. Benton started nine games and made 36 tackles with a sack. The Steelers won’t release a depth chart for at least another six weeks, when the team reports to Latrobe, Pa., for training camp.

Depth charts don’t matter that much to Benson. He finally showed up as first-team noseguard on the official depth chart in December. By then, he’d already started five games. The initial starter — Montravius Adams — still is with the Steelers for 2024. Earlier this year, Adams signed a two-year contract to stay in Pittsburgh.

#Steelers DT Keeanu Benton lost about 10 pounds this offseason and believes his ceiling is out of sight.

“I can’t see it, man. It’s up there somewhere. I ain’t really looking for that. I’m just keeping my head down and working.” pic.twitter.com/AAsKBzxRac

— Aaron Becker (@Aaron_M_Becker) June 13, 2024

Benton says he can’t see his ceiling. It’s that high

When Benton met with the media this week, he mentioned his 10-pound weight drop.

“I figured out how to get some more body muscle rather than putting that on in fat,” Benton told reporters. . (The NFL) is a lot different training than college. So it was good that I had that time off to focus on my body. … Just getting to know my body better and kind of preparing it for this year was probably my biggest takeaway.”

Benton also is expecting a big step up in his game this season. A reporter asked him about his ceiling as a player.

“I can’t see it,” Benton said. “It’s up there somewhere. I’m not really looking for that.”

The Steelers won’t see each other as a team again until July 24. That’s when they report to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. Training camp begins the next day. We’ll see if Benton gets anywhere near that ceiling he can’t see.