Will Yahya Black challenge Keeanu Benton for playing time?
Ever since DL coach Domata Peko raved about Yahya Black, it seems it’s fueled speculation that he could play over Keeanu Benton. And this isn’t just idle speculation—it’s idle speculation from beat writers. Ray Fittipaldo has been the strongest proponent of this theory, reiterating it repeatedly. But is there any substance to this? Could Benton play fewer snaps this year than he would have because of Black?
Keeanu Benton is a fourth-year player, a former second-round pick, a Day 1 starter coming off his best season. Yahya Black came into the league last year via the fifth round, though he played well as a rookie—mostly. And mostly at defensive end, despite his larger size.
Former Steelers DC Teryl Austin claimed he was hesitant to play Black at nose tackle, where Benton plays, because he didn’t want to overload the rookie. Black began playing end with Derrick Harmon missing time, and it was the easiest way for him to start playing. There are only so many nose tackle snaps to go around, even for the Steelers.
Now, it is possible for Yahya Black to force the Steelers into an enviable dilemma. Especially in a 3-4, it’s hard enough to justify paying three linemen, let alone four. But Cam Heyward has to retire at some point, so even if they want to pay Keeanu Benton, hoping he can slide to end in a couple of years, that’s workable.
But Black still has a lot to prove, especially when it comes to nose tackle. Yeah, he played some good snaps last year, but it’s not like we’ve seen him grow this offseason. He has to show that in training camp, because right now, defensive linemen have little to do. All of this speculation is fueled by Domata Peko praising him, while the front office is working on an extension for Keeanu Benton.
It’s gotten to the point where you have people like Trai Essex thinking Benton could ball out this year and then hit it big in free agency because the Steelers know they have Black waiting in the wings. But what happens when Heyward retires? Then you have Harmon and Black, and Benton is gone. And these are all basically ideal scenarios in which everyone reached their full potential.
The Steelers have a long road ahead of them under Mike McCarthy, along with his cadre of quarterbacks.With seven consecutive postseason losses and no wins in nearly a decade, they are under fire for their repeated playoff failures. While we have seen many changes, none could dream of topping Mike Tomlin’s resignation.
We’re already deep into the offseason, with free agency and the draft already reshaping rosters. The Steelers, of course, are used to early offseason mode as a team thatloses by the middle of January all the time. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.
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