It’s been a good offseason for some former Wisconsin Badgers stars, and that continued last week as Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton signed a four-year, $72 million extension.
Benton, 25, was taken by the Steelers in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft after a four-year career at Wisconsin, where he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2021 and third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022.
He has played in all 51 games of his NFL career, totaling 123 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles through his first three seasons.
Benton’s $72 million deal now makes him the highest-paid defensive lineman in Steelers history. He also joins fellow former Badgers star Nick Herbig in getting paid this offseason, as the latter earned a four-year, $100 million deal.
Benton has really come together as an all-around defensive tackle. Being known as a quality run defender with his bigger frame, the defensive tackle put together the best pass-rushing season of his career in 2025. He had 31 pressures and 5.5 sacks, both career highs, while also ranking second on the Steelers in run stops behind Cam Heyward.
Now locked into a four-year extension, Benton is under contract with the Steelers through the 2030 season.
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