Steelers Have Sneaky Plan For Keeanu Benton And Defensive Front In The Works: "There's One Coming Down The Road"

Pittsburgh Steelers fans have been so consumed with the quarterback drama in which the team is immersed, they have almost forgotten about one of their most significant needs - the defensive line. When the Steelers entered the offseason, most fans expected the quarterback situation would be either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields as the starter, and while they may not have been thrilled, they weren't worried the team wouldn't have a quarterback. Most fans were more focused on what they would do for a wide receiver and how they would build up the trenches.

Pittsburgh took care of the wide receiver issue in a big way with the trade for DK Metcalf. They gave Metcalf the biggest contract of any Steelers player in history at five years, $150 million. However, despite many rumors about a reunion with Javon Hargrave or potentially signing Jonathan Allen, neither happened. Hargrave and Allen are on their way to the Minnesota Vikings as they beef up their defensive line, something the Steelers are supposed to be doing.  

Chris Mack, who co-hosts Kaboly and Mack with Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly from The Pat McAfee Show, said he can't believe they haven't done anything with the defensive line yet. Not only had they not acquired anyone new, but they also released Larry Ogunjobi, which many assumed was a sign of a big move. If it is, that big move just hasn't come yet. Mack added that few defensive linemen are left, as they go quickly. Kaboly reassured him that he thinks the team has a plan. 

"I don't think Dean Lowry and Isaiahh Loudermilk are the answer," said Kaboly about the team's defensive line. "I don't think a rookie is the answer either because you can't guarantee that even if you take one in the first round that he's gonna play 70% of the snaps. So there's one coming down the road. I just don't know who that might be, who they might be targeting. But I am sure there is someone right there, ready for the taking, who they have their eyes on. They might have a different plan, too; they might move [Keeanu] Benton out there. Maybe that's the plan."

The Steelers got lucky when they extended beloved fan-favorite Cameron Heyward before the 2024 season. He played at a very high level, even at 35, because the depth behind him has been shaky at times. They drafted Keeanu Benton in the second round in 2024 as the heir apparent for Heyward. While Benton has taken some steps forward, he hasn't been as impactful as most expected. His year three is coming up, and that will tell how the rest of his football career will likely play out. 

Benton is a bit undersized for a nose tackle at 6'4" and 304 lbs, and the topic of moving him has come up before. That would make sense in this draft, considering there are several colossal nose tackles in this draft class and various other defensive linemen with a lot of versatility. The Steelers will have to decide with their pick at 21 if they want to go for the best defensive lineman available, or if they want to target the nose tackle spot specially. 

The Steelers Have Made Themselves Hostages

Fans are frustrated with the seeming lack of big moves other than the Metcalf trade. This has raised speculation that the team has been held hostage while waiting for Aaron Rodgers to decide. 

The reality is a quarterback is always a team's most significant need. To win games, they need to have one who is an effective game manager, at the very least. While some believe that the Steelers assumed Fields or Rodgers would come cheap, it is also fair to say that they are restraining themselves as they wait until they know the cost of their next quarterback. 

What veteran defensive lineman do you think the Steelers might be targeting? Tell us what you think below!

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