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NFL news roundup: Steelers, DT Keeanu Benton agree to four-year, $72 million extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract extension with defensive tackle Keeanu Benton.

First seen Aug 15, 2026 · 2:32 AM UTC · last updated Aug 15 4:03 AM

Scoring Zone's Take

This news is about Keeanu Benton's contract extension with the Steelers, and frankly it has no fantasy football relevance for your draft prep. Benton is a defensive tackle, and interior defensive linemen simply don't accrue fantasy stats in standard formats—no scoring category rewards run-stuffing or interior pass rush unless you're in a deep IDP (individual defensive player) league that specifically starts DL and rewards tackles/sacks/pressures.

If you are in an IDP league, this is mildly notable: a four-year, $72 million extension signals the Steelers view Benton as a long-term cornerstone of their defensive front, which suggests continued high snap counts and a stable role rather than a training-camp competition or reduced usage. That's a modest positive signal for his floor if your league rosters DL, but it doesn't move him into elite IDP DT territory on its own—track his sack/pressure/tackle production from last season before committing draft capital.

For the vast majority of standard and PPR fantasy formats, take no action here. Don't add him, don't worry about him affecting any offensive skill-position players on Pittsburgh's roster (this move doesn't touch snap share, target share, or touch distribution for their WRs, RBs, or QB), and don't spend a roster slot or draft pick on this transaction. Confidence is high that the contract itself happened as reported, but confidence in any fantasy-relevant takeaway is low simply because a DT extension is not something that translates into fantasy production in the formats you're most likely playing.

NFL news roundup: Steelers, DT Keeanu Benton agree to four-year, $72 million extension

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NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown.

  • NOTE:Teams listed in alphabetical order

INJURIES

  • OL Chase Bisontis suffered a torn MCL in Thursday's preseason game and requires surgery that will cause him to miss most -- if not all -- of his rookie season, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported.

ROSTER CUTS

  • OT Jack Nelson was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement.

SUSPENSIONS

  • DE James Pearce Jr. was suspended eight games by the NFL for violating the league's personal-conduct policy.

INJURIES

  • LB Teddye Buchanan passed his physical and was removed from the physically unable to perform list.

RETIREMENTS

  • OT Kendall Lamm was placed on the reserve/retired list.

SIGNINGS

  • DB Wande Owens

ROSTER CUTS

  • LB Otis Reese

SUSPENSIONS

  • DT Phidarian Mathis was suspended for the first three games of the 2026 season by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

INJURIES

  • DB Tyron Herring reverted to injured reserve after being waived with an injury designation.

INJURIES

  • RB Josh Jacobs (groin) could potentially return to practice later next week, head coach Matt LaFleur said.

ROSTER CUTS

  • K Chris Freeman

INJURIES

  • WR Jordyn Tyson is dealing with a hamstring injury, per head coach Kellen Moore. There is not currently a timeline for a potential return to practice. Tyson, the No. 8 overall pick of the 2026 draft, dealt with hamstring issues during his final season at Arizona State, but Moore said this injury is not related to previous ones for Tyson.

ROSTER CUTS

  • WR Beaux Collins was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement.

INJURIES

  • DB DJ James reverted to injured reserve after being waived with an injury designation.

INJURIES

  • QB Geno Smith didn't playing Friday night against the Buccaneers due to foot soreness, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported. Head coach Aaron Glenn said after the game that there is "nothing to be alarmed about" and Smith is considered day to day.

SIGNINGS

  • LB Brandon George is signing a one-year contract, ESPN reported.

SIGNINGS

  • DT Keeanu Benton agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract extension, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Benton, a 2023 second-round pick, posted a career-high 5.5 sacks last season for Pittsburgh.

INJURIES

  • QB Kurtis Rourke (ribs) was released from a local hospital on Thursday night, per the team. Rourke exited Thursday's preseason game against the Titans in the first half and was taken to a hospital after he was having trouble breathing, head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game. Initial X-rays did not show a broken rib, per Shanahan.

OTHER NEWS

  • WR Deebo Samuel changed his jersey number from 1 to 19. Samuel, who wore No. 19 for his first five NFL seasons, had changed to No. 1 with San Francisco in 2024 and also wore No. 1 with the Commanders in 2025.

ROSTER CUTS

  • DB Brandon Johnson was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement.

INJURIES

  • TE Jaren Kanak had an MRI on his pectoral injury and the team is awaiting results, head coach Robert Saleh told reporters.

SUSPENSIONS

  • DB Nazeeh Johnson was suspended by the NFL for the first six games of the 2026 season for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances policy, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Johnson posted about his suspension on social media, explaining that he was taking fertility medication that he was not aware was on the list of banned substances.

INJURIES

  • QB Marcus Mariota left Friday's preseason game against the Dolphins in the first quarter with an apparent leg injury. Head coach Dan Quinn did not have a postgame update on Mariota.

SUSPENSIONS

  • DE Dorance Armstrong was suspended one game by the NFL for violating the league's personal-conduct policy, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Coverage from Nfl Dot Com News · by Around the NFL Staff · Aug 14, 2026 · read original