This season has been a major disappointment for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense.
At the beginning of the season, coach Mike Tomlin said the defense could do “historic” things. Instead, the Steelers are 26th in total yards allowed.
Nevertheless, the Steelers (10-7) won the AFC North title and will host the Houston Texans (12-5) in a Wild Card playoff game on Monday night at Acrisure Stadium.
One bright spot for the defense has been the development of third-year tackle Keeanu Benton, who has a career-high 5 ½ sacks after registering only one in each of his two seasons. Benton also has 12 quarterback hits and six tackles for loss.
What is behind Benton’s improvement?
“I think he's whopping blocks and making tackles,” Tomlin said. “There is a difference between being active and being productive. Certainly, he's athletic and active.”
The Steelers selected Benton in the second round of the 2023 draft from Wisconsin. Even though he didn’t make major contributions in his first two seasons, Tomlin remained intrigued.
“There is a lot about his profile that was really attractive, even dating back to draft evals,” Tomin said. “I love the heavyweight wrestler, for example. He certainly was a formidable heavyweight wrestler in high school. Those guys generally are better conditioned than most men their size. They have an appetite for working through fatigue that's a little bit different than others. So certainly, he brings some of those things.
“But I just think there has been an increase in productivity. 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.”
Benton credits much of his development to the mentorship of fellow defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, a four-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. Playing alongside Heyward motivates Benton.
"There's one thing to want to do it for yourself," Benton said. "But when you get that connection, that brotherhood that we've developed throughout the years, it's way better when you fight for somebody else. And that guy deserves a lot, so I'm going to give all I got. I feel like our defense and offense, and our team, feel the same way."