Keeanu Benton: Mike Tomlin said he ‘wants goons out there’

Keeanu Benton: Mike Tomlin said he ‘wants goons out there’

Former Wisconsin defensive tackle and current Pittsburgh Steeler Keeanu Benton knows exactly why the organization drafted him. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin says that he “wants goons” like Benton out there on the field.

After the Steelers drafted him, Benton found out from Tomlin that they drafted the defensive tackle because Pittsburgh wants tough, physical players, a description in which Benton fits.

2023 NFL Draft War Room: Pittsburgh Steelers

“Just talking to Coach Tomlin, the main thing I had taken away from that was he wants goons out there, and he wants somebody who’s not afraid to get his nose dirty, and I feel like I am the best option for that guy,” Benton said, via Steelers.com.

Tomlin wasn’t the only member of the Steelers organization to become fond of the Wisconsin nose tackle. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin gave his remarks to Benton.

“Big strong guy. Really active. Good hands,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said, via Steelers press release. “For a big guy you will see him venture outside the box, chasing things down. He’s got a good motor. You can see he’s in really good shape when he plays. He plays a lot of snaps. He is an 80-85% guy. (Benton) keeps himself in really good shape, really competitive spirit.”

“I got a good chance to see him,” Austin said, via Steelers press release. “Evaluating film. He came in here for a visit. Wonderful guy. He seems like he has his stuff together. All the background stuff we seem to be looking at and looking for, he passed those tests.”

Tomlin told the media that he doesn’t want Benton to call himself a “goon” publicly, but he noted that it’s an accurate description of on the field.

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