Overlooked Starter Facing Criticism for Steelers Defensive Woes
The Pittsburgh Steelers had major issues trying to cover the Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers and place pressure on quarterback Joe Flacco in Week 7. But Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin blamed the run defense as much as anything for the team’s issues in Cincinnati.
On Thursday, former Steelers defensive lineman Chris Hoke had one player in mind to blame for the Steelers poor run defense — Keeanu Benton.
“Two of those [long runs allowed] were Keeanu Benton,” Hoke argued on Thursday’s The Pomp and Joe Show on 93.7 The Fan, via Steelers Depot’s Jeremy Pike. “He’s just got to be in his gap.
“I praised him a couple times over the last couple weeks about how he played; I think he played very, very well against the Vikings in Dublin. I think he had a sack and a half. He had a couple tackles for a loss. Played extremely well in terms of technique and leverage.
“Then this game, whether you’re trying to make a play, whatever you’re trying to do, it’s not consistent.”
Steelers’ Keeanu Benton Struggling to Take Next Step in Development
As Benton has gone this season, so has the Pittsburgh defense. Really, he has been a microcosm of the play from the Steelers defense this season.
Benton posted a below average Pro Football Focus player grade in run defense during the first three weeks of the season and in Week 7. In those four games, the Steelers allowed an average of 140 rushing yards per contest.
In Weeks 4 and 6, Benton recorded an average PFF run defense grade. During those two games, the Steelers yielded 135 rushing yards total.
PFF grades are not the end all, be all. Benton also hasn’t posted a PFF run defense grade above 61 (out of 100) in any game this season. So even in his better performances, Benton hasn’t been elite.
But it does appear that when he struggles to stay in his gap, the Steelers run defense experiences major issues.
The Steelers will enter Week 8 ranked 17th in rushing yards allowed per contest.
Another Former Steelers Player Criticizes Defensive Line
Hoke, who started 10 games for the Steelers No. 1-ranked defense in 2004, wasn’t the only former Pittsburgh player who didn’t like what he saw from the black and gold last week.
Former Steelers full back Merril Hodge didn’t call out Benton specifically. But Hodge was very critical of the Pittsburgh defensive line.
“The thing that was probably the most concerning was their defensive line kind of fell back into the first two weeks,” Hodge said during an appearance on 102.5 WDVE this week, via Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora. “How they kinda got manhandled. Cincinnati manhandled them up front.”
Simply put, that’s just not a recipe for success.
Benton has to play better, but so does the rest of the Steelers defensive line.
In six games this season, Benton has posted 12 combined tackles, including two tackles for loss. He also has five quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks.
At PFF, Benton has registered mostly ugly grades. He has excelled the most, according to the PFF grades, at rushing the passer.
Insider Reveals Details of Brandon Graham’s New Eagles Contract
Just days after Brandon Graham signed to return for a 16th season with the Philadelphia Eagles, we found out the details of his contract with the team.
NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport reported Graham’s prorated one-year contract which is worth about $4.9 million for the 2025 season.
Graham will make $2.44 million, and Rappaport reported that $1.67 million will be paid out as part of a signing bonus.
Graham, the two-time Super Bowl champion as a member of the Eagles, announced he was coming out of retirement Tuesday. The 2010 first-round pick of the Eagles had retired as a consequence of two torn pectoral muscles during the 2024 NFL season including one in the Eagles’ 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
Brandon Graham Returned To Practice Wednesday
Graham had been keeping himself busy by podcasting and fulfilling a role as an analyst on NFL Network. Yet, when Za’Darius Smith retired, Graham decided to make a comeback.
“It was fun today,” Graham said after practicing Wednesday.
Graham admitted on his podcast “Unblocked” he didn’t feel like he was finished, despite his announced retirement after the last game of his 15th season. He said he didn’t want to play with any other team but that he would have considered it when Smith signed with Philadelphia.
“I knew I wasn’t all the way done,” Graham said. “I was hoping that [the Eagles] didn’t need me, but I’m glad to be back.”
Graham said he felt like “had a new arm” after rehabbing his triceps over the past eight months. So after one day of practice, Graham said he still felt good.
“I feel like nothing happened,” Graham said. “It’s held up. My body feels fresh. Right now I’m just taking it day to day, just enjoying it, man. I’m happy to be back.”
Brandon Graham Isn’t Sure If He’ll Play Against The Giants
The Eagles are gearing up for a showdown against the NFC East rival New York Giants, who shredded Philadelphia for 172 rushing yards and three Cam Skattebo touchdowns at MetLife Stadium in their 34-17 win Oct. 9.
So even though Graham can surely help stop the Giants rushing attack, which is ranked 11th in the NFL in yards per game (125.1), he isn’t sure if he’ll be ready to play in time for Sunday’s game.
“We’re gonna see,” Graham asked if he is going to play. “I’m gonna let coach [decide] that. I’m just here to keep affirming everybody from what they are and their ability, keeping their mind good and keeping their energy high and having fun.”
Even if the sellout crowd in South Philly doesn’t get to see Graham on the field Sunday afternoon, the veteran said it won’t be long until he’s able to suit up in the game uniform.
“I don’t feel too far off, honestly,” Graham said. “I’ve been training — it’s been like my training camp for the last two-and-a-half or three months — and I feel good. Now it’s just about trying to talking my trash and work out at the same time.”
