PITTSBURGH — For a guy who has trimmed down and dropped nearly 15 pounds, Keeanu Benton certainly looms large in the Steelers defensive line.

As he enters his second season, Benton is being counted on to do more than just take another step in his NFL development. He is expected to be a large part of the future of the defensive line, an evolution that has been slow to develop.

That was evident when Mike Tomlin was asked the other day what he expected from last year's second-round draft choice.

"Big things," Tomlin said. Then he repeated himself. "Big things."

When told what Tomlin said, Benton replied, "That makes two of us."

The Steelers expect Benton to be a more prominent force in the middle of their defensive front this season, especially after an offseason in which little was done to significantly improve the line through free agency or the draft.

After what he showed as a rookie, Benton's development is not only reason for optimism, it is necessary. The Steelers are hoping he — along with defensive end Cam Heyward's return to health, who enters his 14th NFL season — can help control the line of scrimmage and improve the run defense.

"I'm not going to be young forever, not going to be a rookie forever," Benton said. "So eventually, I got to take that step. And why not do it now?"

Benton isn't worried about the pressure of expectation.

"I don't fold under pressure," he said. “Pressure makes diamonds, so I'm just ready to go out there and work."

Benton could be categorized as a diamond in the rough after being the 49th overall pick — and fifth interior lineman — in the 2023 draft. He played well as a rookie, appearing for 484 snaps, or 42.7% of all defensive plays. That was second-most among all defensive linemen.

It should be even more so this season.

"I think I did a good job how coachable I was, and I was ready for that next step," Benton said. "I was able to get into certain things, whether that was my conditioning, whether that be certain techniques.

The Steelers did not get that kind of jump into Year 2 from defensive end DeMarvin Leal, their third-round choice in 2022, who showed so much athletic promise as a rookie. But there seems to be little doubt about Benton making the leap.

"He's really good," guard Isaac Seumalo said of Benton. "He's got all the tools. He's a lot more slippery than what you think. He ends up making a lot of pressures in the pass game."

Benton had only one sack as a rookie but had nine quarterback hits and eight pressures, second most among the defensive linemen. But he was doing it from the middle of the line.

Benton looks even quicker at training camp. He reported at 300 pounds, nearly 15 pounds lighter than his playing weight last season and nine pounds lighter than his combine weight.

"I just want to feel good and be out here in camp and be able to run all day," Benton said.

However, Benton said he expects to get back closer to that weight because he always adds pounds during the season, not lose them.

"For a big guy, he's very loose-hipped," Seumalo said. "He can make movements guys that big shouldn't be able to do. It's awesome to see."

Benton will be more than just a nose tackle in their 3-4 front. Because of his pass-rush ability, he will likely assume a bigger part of the two-man rotation when the Steelers go into their sub-packages.

It's just the beginning of him being a large part of the future of the defensive line, even in his second season.

"The anxiety ain't really there," Benton said. "It's more excitement."

On both fronts.