‘Rewarded With A Big Contract’: Essex Predicts ‘We’re Gonna See Keenau Benton’s Best’ In 2026

After three key contract extensions this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have nearly crossed off every item on their offseason to-do list. One of the only players left to be extended is Keeanu Benton, who might not be as easy as the first few. But to former Steeler Trai Essex, his performance on the field won’t be anything to worry about.

“I think we’re gonna see Keeanu Benton’s best this year. I have a lot of faith. He kind of reminds me of, I’m not trying to sound disrespectful, but a watered-down Stephon Tuitt, right? Stephon Tuitt was a beast when he was in his prime. Keeanu Benton hasn’t quite reached his level yet, but I think he is capable of reaching that type of performance,” Essex said Tuesday on his Snap Count podcast.

In pretty much every metric, Benton had his best season in 2025. He finished the year with 5.5 sacks, 51 tackles, and six tackles for a loss, each a career high. On a defense that dealt with numerous injuries, Benton remained consistent and turned a corner late in the year.

That’s putting him into extension talks, but his value rests in the eye of the beholder. Benton’s play late in the 2025 season was certainly worth keeping around. But the Steelers have already given out a few extensions this offseason, and have one more with Joey Porter Jr. Interior defensive linemen are becoming more valuable as the cap continues to rise, so Benton’s extension might not come as cheaply as some assume. If the price is too high, there’s always a chance the Steelers will let him walk.

“He’ll probably be rewarded with a big contract next year. Probably somewhere else, because you draft Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black,” Essex said.

The defensive line, especially on the interior, is getting a little crowded. Pittsburgh looked at that unit twice in the 2025 draft, picking Derrick Harmon in the first round and Yahya Black in the fifth. Benton stepped forward since then, but those two represent youth in the room if Benton leaves.

Of course, Cam Heyward is also on the interior. And Sebastian Joseph-Day represents a versatile depth piece who can play pretty much everywhere on the defensive front. Pittsburgh also took Gabriel Rubio in the sixth round this year. We’ll have to see how Patrick Graham uses them all, but the Steelers have options.

To Essex, all those names might be the reason Keeanu Benton finds a new home next offseason. And Benton may also be thinking of a higher price for his extension than the Steelers have in mind. But either way, Essex expects to see the best season of Benton’s career in 2026.