The Pittsburgh Steelers front office was applauded for their work at the 2023 NFL Draft. They were seen as arguably the biggest winner from the draft, albeit the verdict is still early on the class. Now, they have locked up most of the rookies for their contracts. According to Ian Rapaport of NFL Network, Pittsburgh has signed defensive tackle Keeanu Benton to his rookie deal.
Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers third-rounder Darnell Washington was one of the first 2023 draft picks to sign his contract with the black and gold.
Perhaps most notably, his deal set some unmarked territory. It’s the first time in which the 49th overall pick has the third year of his rookie deal have any guaranteed money.
Benton’s year 3 guarantees ended up being $113,332 which is roughly 8% of his yr 3 base. Phidarian Mathis got roughly 8% of his year 3 base guaranteed last year at pick 47, he was the last pick in 2022 to receive yr 3 guarantees. https://t.co/WGxlqJunye
— Daniel Salib (@salibdaniel1) June 23, 2023
Nothing but props to his agent for getting that aspect of the deal done. While it seems to be a bit late in the process at this point, the Steelers have signed mostly all of their rookies, including Benton, Darnell Washington, and Nick Herbig.
#Steelers second round DT Keeanu Benton has signed his rookie contract, source said. Benton has guaranteed money in the third year of his contract, the first time ever for the 49th pick. The deal was negotiated by @JoeNDiBenedetto and @KenSarnoff of 1 OF 1 Agency.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 23, 2023
Shortly after the announcement of Benton’s deal, Pittsburgh also signed offensive tackle Broderick Jones to his rookie contract. He becomes the 22nd first-rounder to be signed since the conclusion of the draft a few months ago. The Steelers needed a franchise left tackle heading into the offseason, and Jones became their guy in the pre-draft process. As a result, they traded up to select him with the 14th overall pick.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones participates in the Organized Team Activities at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, as he competes with Dan Moore Jr. for the starting LT job..
Benton figures to be a huge part of the team’s plans in 2023 and beyond. While others are getting most of the buzz, he may actually provide the biggest impact. With Cam Heyward now 34 years old, the Steelers desperately needed a young difference-maker along the defensive line. The Wisconsin product will be expected to provide that kind of impact, as he will likely start alongside Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi.
Will Steelers defensive line become one of best in NFL?
If Benton can live up to expectations, it should form a tremendous trio along that defensive line. They will need Ogunjobi to stay fully healthy, as an injury plagued his play throughout the 2022 campaign. The front office re-signed the veteran to a three-year, $28.75 million deal earlier this offseason. Recently, Ogunjobi had high praises for his counterpart in the defensive line room.
"I'd say 95 [is the one to watch in Latrobe]. I just think his skill set, what he's been able to do, how he moves, I think he's going to surprise a lot of people. I'm just really excited to watch him work. He has that explosion, he's quick, he's twitchy. I give him high praises, and I see a guy who wants to work, and who wants to be great," Ogunjobi said via Missi Matthews of Steelers.com.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers veteran defensive linemen Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi should be able to mentor rookie Keeanu Benton a lot ahead of the 2023 campaign.
The 32nd overall pick, Joey Porter Jr., is the only unsigned rookie for the Steelers now. While most of the 2023 draft class have signed their rookie deals, there’s no need to panic. It shouldn't be too long before the two sides come to an agreement on a four-year deal. In the meantime, the rookies have already began to showcase their talent this summer at minicamp and OTAs.
What kind of a difference will Benton make in his rookie campaign? At what point do you start to become concerned when rookies remain unsigned? Which of these guys from this class will have the biggest impact on the team in 2023? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, as well as on our social media sites, yinz!
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