PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have waited for defensive tackle Keeanu Benton to put together a string of games that showed off his potential. Over the last month, Benton is putting it all together and becoming a standout player.
Benton already has a career-high 4.5 sacks, and he is starting to up the pressures, too. The third-year player has a sack in two of three last games for the Steelers, and Benton has started to get much better as a finisher.
Benton has said before that finishing was the biggest part of his game he had to improve, and he has done it this season. On top of that, his arsenal of pass rush moves is starting to diversify.
The Wisconsin product says he has not changed anything drastically in his game, and it has been more about the work he has put in throughout the season to get there.
“I’m just trusting the process,” Benton said. “I don’t think nothing drastic has changed, just being more confident in the process and keeping my body together. I’m putting on display."
Benton has continued to struggle to anchor against double teams in run defense from the nose tackle spot. His most productive snaps have come split out, but the Steelers have not utilized him there very often.
Yet, it has become more apparent that his comfortability ib the defense has allowed him to produce as a run defender on top of his pass rushing. Benton is on the up-and-up as a player, and starting to break out into the player the Steelers have wanted him to be.
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