The Pittsburgh Steelers have continued to sign members of their 2023 draft class to long-term extensions.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday night the Steelers inked defensive lineman Keeanu Benton to a record-setting deal.
Rapoport posted on X the contract extension is worth $72 million over four years, paying Benton $18 million per year.
“Defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and the Steelers have agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract extension, sources say,” wrote Rapport. “This deal, worth $18 million per year, will make Benton the highest paid DL in Steelers history.”
The deal was negotiated by agent Joe DiBenedetto of @1OF1FOOTBALL.
Benton is entering his fourth season with the team this fall. He started all 17 games for the first time last season. Benton also had a career-best 5.5 sacks in 2025.
In addition to Benton, the Steelers have signed his draft classmates — tight end Darnell Washington and outside linebacker Nick Herbig — to contract extensions this year.
Herbig’s deal was a 4-year, $100 million contract. Washington’s extension was also four years in length and worth $42 million.
Steelers Sign Lineman Keeanu Benton to Extension: Report
GettyThe Pittsburgh Steelers signed Keeanu Benton, Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington to extensions from the 2023 NFL Draft class.
With the Benton signing, the Steelers continued to lock up members of their 2023 draft class. The team also has a significant younger piece to now build around along the defensive line going forward
The Steelers have invested a lot of assets in the defensive line to infuse the unit with young talent, preparing for Cameron Heyward’s retirement.
Pittsburgh landed Benton at No. 49 overall in the second round of the 2023 draft. He showed flashes of being a quality player in 2023 and 2024. On the stat sheet, he had one sack with eight quarterback hits in each of those seasons.
Benton broke out with his best campaign a year ago. There’s hope among the fan base that Benton can take another step forward under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham in 2026.
Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora argued there’s some risk to signing Benton to an expensive extension. But general manager Omar Khan values continuity, and again, the team is trying to brace itself for Heyward’s departure.
In addition to being draft mates for the Steelers in 2023, Benton and Herbig played together in college at Wisconsin. They are now both signed in Pittsburgh through the 2030 season.
Will Joey Porter Jr. Get the Next Steelers Contract Extension?
GettyPittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. will be a free agent in March.
While the Steelers are focused on signing their 2023 draft class to extensions, they haven’t extended the first two prospects they picked in that class — Broderick Jones and Joey Porter Jr.
For a variety of circumstances, Jones is unlikely to receive an extension this preseason. However, the Steelers could still get a deal done with Porter.
Porter might be the most important member of the 2023 draft class for the Steelers to re-sign. But he’s also very likely to be the most expensive.
Spotrac projected Porter’s market value to be $70 million on a 3-year deal. That would give Porter the seventh-highest average annual salary at cornerback in the league.
However, there was chatter in July that Porter is seeking a deal that would give him a $30 million average annual salary. That would place him in the top five highest-paid cornerbacks.
While that contract desire hasn’t been confirmed, it would explain why the two sides haven’t agreed to a new deal.
The Steelers placed Porter on the PUP list to begin training camp. But pundits don’t expect him to miss any part of the regular season.
In three seasons, Porter has posted 31 pass defenses and three interceptions in 47 games.
Steelers Sign Third Member of 2023 NFL Draft Class to Extension: Report