The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing defensive lineman Keeanu Benton to a four-year, $72-million extension, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Benton becomes the highest-paid defensive lineman in Steelers history at $18 million per season, Rapoport adds.
The 25-year-old was entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal.
Chosen in the second round of the 2023 draft, Benton has been a full-time starter since midway through his rookie year. He's coming off a career season that featured his best pass-rushing numbers to date (5.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hits).
The Steelers have now signed three of their first five selections from the 2023 draft to extensions, with Benton joining tight end Darnell Washington and edge rusher Nick Herbig. First-round pick Broderick Jones and second-round selection Joey Porter Jr. have not been extended. The former had his fifth-year option declined, while general manager Omar Khan said recently that the team has interest in extending Porter.
