Finishing Plays A Priority This Season For Benton

Photo: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

What we have seen from Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton is a player with significant upside. At the same time, he has also demonstrated the potential to elevate his productivity on the field.

For Keeanu Benton, this season will not only be about creating opportunities but also about executing and finishing plays. In an interview with Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar, Penn Live reporter Nick Farabaugh confirmed through Dunbar, that Benton's primary focus will be on his ability to complete plays—an emphasis that should inevitably lead to an increase in sacks.

"He puts a ton of hits on the quarterback. His sack productivity should go way up. But until you put the skins on the wall, nothing counts."

There is no question that Keeanu Benton has the potential to become one of the premier interior pass rushers in the NFL. Last season, Benton earned a 75.7 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus and recorded 22 total pressures. However, despite these strong metrics, he managed just one sack and two tackles for loss. Over his two seasons, he has registered only two sacks—a number that, given his pass-rushing abilities, should ideally be much higher.

Entering his third season, Benton will need to elevate his work ethic beyond previous years, especially considering the team's offseason additions to the defensive line. If he hopes to have his fifth-year option picked up, he must translate his potential into game-changing splash plays.