The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Keeanu Benton in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, with high hopes he'd become the next standout on their defensive line. As a rookie, Benton flashed his potential, but there’s still plenty of room for growth. Steelers fans are eagerly anticipating a big leap from him in the 2024 season.
Benton has already begun to establish himself as a leader early in his career, bringing a positive attitude that excites fans as they watch him develop. He also had a humorous welcome to the NFL moment upon arriving at training camp.
In an appearance on The Arthur Moats Experience on Thursday, Benton reflected on that moment, sharing how former Steelers center Mason Cole had given him a false sense of confidence.
"Mason Cole, I link up with him, I was getting one-on-one blocks with him," Benton said. "I'm like, I can handle this. We get into team period, I come off the [ball], I hit him, and I got a good pop on him, got extension."
Benton expressed that he felt confident when going up against Cole, believing he could fully handle the NFL training camp period.
However, his confidence was quickly tempered after being humbled by Kevin Dotson. Dotson's power and technique forced Benton to go flying in the air, serving as a reminder that this was no longer college football.
"Next thing you know, I'm getting chipped on the hip and thrown three gaps over, and I'm like, Holy sh**. [Kevin] Dotson came down on that hip and tossed me. I was in the air; it looked so bad on film."
Despite the setback, Benton acknowledged that facing Dotson was a valuable lesson and that it pushed him to elevate his game further. The young defensive lineman embraced the challenge, viewing it as an opportunity for growth and development in his rookie season.
Dotson, of course, was traded to the Los Angeles Rams on August 27, 2023, marking the end of his tenure with the Steelers. Given the timing of the trade, Benton and Dotson didn’t have much time together as teammates, but they did share a handful of training camp practices before Dotson was shipped to LA. In that brief period, Benton was able to pick up some valuable reps alongside Dotson before his departure.
There has been considerable discussion about how Pittsburgh might have mishandled Dotson's development. Many believe the Steelers didn't maximize his potential. After his trade to the Rams, Dotson's career took off. He quickly established himself as a key player on the offensive line and was rewarded with a three-year, $48 million contract extension in March 2024.
Dotson’s resurgence has been remarkable, and it’s clear he has found a new home in Los Angeles where he’s thriving. It also is pretty obvious that Pittsburgh messed something up with him during his time in the Steel City.
Steelers' Keeanu Benton Looking To Have A Big 2024 Season
The Steelers released Cole following the conclusion of the 2023 season after his subpar performance. Cole’s struggles as Pittsburgh's center are well-documented, which may explain why Benton gained a false sense of confidence after initially facing him in camp.
Nevertheless, Benton's experience against Dotson, even in a short span, provided him with a valuable lesson as he continues his development on the Steelers' defensive line. Steeler Nation is really excited to watch Benton continue to grow with the black and gold.
