Rookie Watch: Steelers DL Keeanu Benton Studies Players Before Him To Help Future Goals

A 1972 Topps L.C. Greeenwood Rookie Card Is Displayed In Benton's Locker

Pittsburgh – A hazy sunrise was emerging from the east on the south side of the Pittsburgh Steelers training complex. A couple of local cameramen were discussing the difficulty in nailing great-looking shots with the yellowish glare.

To the human eye, there was no straining to see six-time Pro Bowler Cam Heyward working with the rookies during individual drills. Heyward, at 6-foot-5 and 297 pounds, still appears to dwarf most of the defensive line teammates.

Wearing his iconic No. 97 jersey, Heyward was lined up against second-round pick Keeanu Benton during the early part of the warm-up session—repeated reps between a three-time All-Pro and a rookie with zero OTA experience.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” Benton said of the experience. “He is somebody I looked up to ever since I started playing football. He’s been in the league a long time. It’s just awesome being here and playing next to him.”

The last time the Steelers elected to address their defensive line via the second round of the NFL Draft was in 2014, when the team selected Stephon Tuitt. In 2023, Pittsburgh opted to plenish the unit with second-round pick Benton.

A multiple All-Big Ten award winner in 2021-22, Benton helped anchor the Wisconsin Badgers defense to lead the nation in rushing defense in 2021. A powerful interior player with size and consistency which helped make him the 49th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

“First of all, I want to stay healthy, God willing,” Benton responded to his early goals heading into his rookie season in the NFL. “Go out there and actually produce for this team rather than just being another number.”

With his admiration towards Heyward and showing his nostalgic side with a 1972 Topps rookie card of L.C. Greenwood perches atop a shelf in his locker, Benton gets the mindset of honoring the past while eyeing up his own personal future in the NFL.

The card, Benton says, was a going away gift from his former high school wrestling coach Adam Bunderson. A two-time state qualifier in high school wrestling, Benton finished as Division 1 runner-up at 285 pounds as a junior with a 48-2 record prior to his collegiate football career.

“That’s just a player I looked up to (Greenwood). My dad sort of put me on to him,” Benton said. “My wrestling coach actually put it in my mind furthermore. Then he gave me that card. It was a gift like a going away gift.”

It’s hard to identify any outstanding traits after one practice of OTA’s, but without question, it is easy to notice Benton is an attentive prospect who recognizes the value of following in the footsteps of greatness.

A career with the Badgers that consisted of him being an explosive penetrator who could overpower his opponents at the point of attack. With 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks over these last two seasons at Wisconsin, Benton established himself as a disruptive interior force.

Ex-Badger and now teammate T.J. Watt has one of the most iconic sack celebrations in the league. Watt stretches his arms back while launching his leg upright like The Rockettes during a Broadway show. Benton laughed off the notion he’ll be coming up with anything that catchy.

“Nah, I do not,” Benton replied to any sack dances on the horizon. “I’m not a big dancing guy.”

While he isn’t big on dancing, he is big and big things are expected of him. Along with third-round pick DeMarvin Leal, the Steelers have invested two picks in the top three rounds over the last two drafts to begin the makeover of a unit that cannot rely on the tremendous ability of Heyward forever.