Mike Tomlin Expects ‘Big Things’ From Keeanu Benton in Year 2
Mike Tomlin rarely speaks glowingly of players, especially young ones. But Keeanu Benton is someone that he is really bullish on.
UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Keeanu Benton is a player to watch for this season. He could be on the brink of stardom.
“Big things. Big things. He can grow in all areas. He’s a talented young guy with tremendous upside and room for growth in all areas,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said at the first day of training camp on Wednesday.
Benton has high expectations for himself, as well. “That makes two of us,” Benton told reporters after Thursday’s practice when asked about Tomlin’s statement.
Tomlin rarely speaks glowingly of players, especially young ones. But Benton is someone that he is really bullish on.
“It’s interesting, I just had an exit interview with him. I’m really excited about the prospects of his future,” Tomlin said of Benton at his season-ending press conference in January. “He’s really talented. I think he’s capable of being dominant sooner rather than later. And so, the question is how quickly can we make that happen and what are our roles in doing so. And so, we just had a real good conversation about what that looks like foundationally and how do we build.”
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com named Porter and Benton to his 2024 NFL All-Breakout Team.
“The Steelers are known for identifying and developing worker bees on the defensive front. Benton appears to be the next young DT poised to give opponents fits,” Brook wrote. “The 6-4, 309-pounder held his own as a part-time starter for a unit specializing in bully ball in the trenches. As an energetic defender with a non-stop motor and active hands, Benton outworks and outlasts blockers to win battles on critical downs. Though it is easier to win when playing alongside T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Alex Highsmith, Benton’s disruptive talents could help the Steelers get back to playing championship-caliber football.”
Pro Football Focus also named Benton to their All-Breakout Team.
“Benton was inconsistent in run defense last year but still recorded six PFF-run-defense game grades above 70.0. He should be able to improve on that in his second NFL season. He was a useful pass-rusher, too, notching an 8.5% pressure rate,” Gordon McGuinness of PFF wrote.
At OTAs, Benton said that he welcomes the high expectations heading into Year 2. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I expect it out of myself as well,” Benton said. “You can’t stay the same and expect to succeed in this league. That’s a point that Coach [Tomlin] stressed.”
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Unity Twp.
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