{
  "id": 933699,
  "title": "Steelers sign rising defensive star to massive $70-plus million extension",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/steelers-sign-rising-defensive-star-to-massive-70-plus-million",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-15T02:21:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/steelers-sign-rising-defensive-star-022145721.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Pittsburgh Steelers have bolstered their defensive line with a significant contract extension for rising star Keeanu Benton. On Friday, NFL Network correspondent Ian Rapoport revealed that the Steelers inked the 2023 second-round draft pick to a four-year, $72 million agreement. The deal translates to an average annual value of $18 million, positioning Benton as the highest-paid defensive lineman in the team's history.\n\nBenton, primarily a nose tackle, will transition to a 3-4 defensive end role under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham in 2026. Selected with the 49th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Benton rapidly became a starter, tallying 123 combined tackles, nine tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles over three seasons in 51 games.\n\nWith Benton joining Darnell Washington and Nick Herbig under long-term contracts, the focus now shifts to cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who remains injury-prone but is expected to make a significant impact in the cornerback market.",
  "summary": "The Pittsburgh Steelers have locked up one of their rising stars to a huge contract extension, none other than Keeanu Benton.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Steelers, DT Keeanu Benton reportedly agree to 4-year, $72 million extension; highest for a DL in Steelers history",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/steelers-dt-keeanu-benton-reportedly-agree-to-4-year-72-million",
        "published": "2026-08-15T02:20:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}