While media scrutiny following the Pittsburgh Steelers 2–2 start has naturally gravitated toward offensive scheme disconnects and veteran stars like T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward, a pressing concern resides with the next generation of Pittsburgh’s core.
As Christopher Carter reminded fans on his “Locked on Steelers” podcast, defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and edge rusher Nick Herbig, both Wisconsin products and close friends off the field, were rewarded with lucrative, high-priced contract extensions this past offseason. Yet through four games, their lack of game-altering production is quickly becoming a primary bottleneck for a defense hovering around the middle of the NFL pack.
"There's some guys that they've been paid," stated Carter. "They're
younger and they need to start producing and producing really, really soon. I'm going to start with one guy, well two guys really, same college. They're best their best buddies. But Nick Herbing and Keeanu Benton right at the top of the list for guys that need to step up and step up now."
The raw statistics tell a stark story for two pass rushers tasked with capitalizing when teams focus their protection schemes on Watt and Heyward.
"Keeanu Benton right now, six pressures, no sacks to start the season right now. And that's a problem. Nick Herbig has four pressures. He's averaging one pressure per game. And you can't say it's just his snap count isn't high enough anymore because it is. And he hasn't registered a sack yet this season."
In addition to going sackless, Herbig missed two tackles in Pittsburgh's recent loss to Cleveland.
When general managers extend young contributors early, they are paying for high-ceiling playmaking, not passive rotation snaps. If Pittsburgh expects to navigate a grueling AFC slate, Benton and Herbig must quickly justify their contract extensions by turning pressures into sacks.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Two recently extended Steelers defenders must step up now
