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Keeanu Benton extension brings teammate Nick Herbig to tears
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- Keeanu Benton extension brings teammate Nick Herbig to tears
Keeanu Benton extension brings teammate Nick Herbig to tears
Second contracts in the NFL are notoriously hard to earn, but securing one alongside your closest friend is a rarity. When news broke that the Pittsburgh Steelers finalized a four-year, $72 million extension with defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, no one celebrated harder than his college and professional teammate, Nick Herbig.
The former Wisconsin Badgers duo arrived in Pittsburgh together in the 2023 draft class, grinding through summer workouts and establishing themselves as core pieces of the defense. Herbig, who inked his own major extension earlier in the offseason, couldn't contain his emotion when asked about Benton locking in his long-term future with the black and gold.
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Former Steelers players Charlie Batch and co-host Trai Essex highlighted the emotional moment on " The Snap Count Podcast ," emphasizing the rare brotherhood forming in Pittsburgh's front seven.
"It was cool to see Keeanu Benton get extended. Four-year deal, $72 million contract, and he gets paired up with his boy Nick Herbig, the Wisconsin duo," Essex shared.
"It was really cool to see Nick Herbig get interviewed and asked about how he felt about Keeanu getting his extension, and he teared up a little bit, man. It's kind of cool to see that brotherhood and good to see Keeanu Benton in the fold as a defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers for the next four years."
Batch explained that outsiders often overlook the immense dedication required for young players to transition from college teammates to multi-contract NFL cornerstones.
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"While, you know, some people on the outside may be looking and say, 'Why is Nick getting emotional with it?' No, because these two guys went to Wisconsin and when you're in college you know the grind that it takes to hopefully fulfill the dream and both of them been able to do so," Batch added.
"Not only being able to fulfill the dream, but also being able to get second contracts with the same team."
Beyond the numbers, Benton's extension highlights a rare human moment in a business-driven league. By securing their long-term futures together in Pittsburgh, Benton and Herbig prove that shared dedication and brotherhood can translate directly into success at the highest level.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Keeanu Benton extension brings teammate Nick Herbig to tears
