Steelers All 90: Damontae Kazee Views Defense as a ‘Brotherhood’

The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed Damontae Kazee after an impressive first season with the team in 2022. With last year’s starting strong safety Terrell Edmunds gone in free agency, it opens a hole for Kazee to become the Steelers’ starting strong safety in 2023.

After returning from a preseason injury last year, Kazee impressed enough over his nine appearances to earn a two-year contract extension from the Steelers. Kazee is excited to stay in Pittsburgh but said he was ready to move on if need be as he noted that it is a business at the end of the day.

“Business is business, so keep your feelings close to your heart and keep your head up,” Kazee said. “There were a lot of teams that called, but I like this program over here. There’s a great brotherhood and fantastic coaches. Everybody is close and so this was a great choice to come back.”

Kazee stated that the brotherhood aspect of the Steelers team was the main reason that he wanted to stay and is already seeing the bonds forming among the new additions, especially the younger guys.

“I’ve seen these rookies and guys out here, we’re all close already,” Kazee said. “This secondary is going to be real good. It’s a brotherhood.”

While Kazee has the potential to be Minkah Fitzpatrick’s safety duo, he has experience at multiple positions in the secondary as he played both safety positions, slot cornerback, and dime backer in his career.

It is likely that Kazee earns the starting strong safety job but he stated that wherever the team decides to line him up, he will put his best foot forward and try his hardest.

“It’s not my job to tell you where I’m gonna play, but when I get in there I’ll bust my butt wherever. That’s no matter how many reps I’m going to get.”

No matter where he plays, Kazee will be a big contributor to the Steelers’ defense in this upcoming season. With versatile additions like Patrick Peterson and Keanu Neal, the Steelers may make Kazee positionless and line him up at multiple positions in 2023.

23 • Damontae Kazee, Safety, San Diego State
5-foot-11, 174 pounds, 30 years old, 7th Season

Acquired: The Steelers signed Kazee to a one-year contract prior to the 2022 season after his contract with the Dallas Cowboys expired. After a solid first season in Pittsburgh, the Steelers decided to re-sign Kazee to a two-year extension this offseason.

Last season: After a short stint in Dallas, Kazee signed a one-year deal with the Steelers. He suffered a fractured forearm in the 2022 preseason which landed him on the team’s injured reserve to start the season. He also was suspended for three games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Kazee was activated in early November and played in nine games while making four starts for the Steelers.

Kazee made an immediate impact once activated as he recorded an interception against the New Orleans Saints in his first regular season game as a Steeler. He also intercepted a pass from Deshaun Watson in the team’s Week 18 game against the Cleveland Browns.

In total, Kazee posted 20 combined tackles and two interceptions in his first season in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) celebrates after a stop during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)

Career: The Atlanta Falcons selected Kazee with the 149th pick in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft after a record-breaking final two seasons at San Diego State. As a rookie, Kazee played in all 16 games for the Falcons as he made appearances at both strong safety and free safety. He started his first career game in Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills as he played a season-high 60 defensive snaps and made four tackles. He finished his rookie season with 23 total tackles and two forced fumbles.

In 2018, Kazee took over the starting free safety position as he started 15 of 16 games for the Falcons at the position. He played a career-high 991 defensive snaps and totaled a career-high 82 combined tackles and seven interceptions. He recorded three straight games with an interception including one against the Steelers.

Kazee started 14 games in 2019 and played 903 defensive snaps for the Falcons. He notched 74 total tackles, three interceptions, and one forced fumble.

In his final season in Atlanta, Kazee started the first four games of the season before tearing his Achilles tendon which ended his season. After the season, Kazee signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.

In his lone season as a Cowboy, Kazee played in all 17 games and started 15 of them as he played his second-most defensive snaps (900) in his career. He finished the season with 52 combined tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.

Over his first six seasons in the league, Kazee has played in 78 games and started 53 of them. He has 257 tackles, three tackles for loss, 19 passes defended 14 interceptions, and seven forced fumbles.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, right, and Damontae Kazee, left, during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

College: Coming out of Cajon High as a three-star recruit, Kazee committed to San Diego State University and utilized his redshirt during the 2012 season. In 2013, Kazee saw action in 11 games but did not record a start. He finished the season with 38 combined tackles, one interception, three passes defended, three tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles. His four forced fumbles as a redshirt freshman tied the fourth-highest mark all-time in a season at San Diego State.

As a redshirt sophomore, Kazee started all 13 games for the Aztecs at cornerback. In his first full season as a starter, he totaled 58 combined tackles, one interception, 14 passes defended, and four tackles for loss. Following the season, Kazee was named All-Mountain West Second Team by the league’s coaches and media.

In 2015, Kazee really stepped his game up as he started all 14 games for the Aztecs. He recorded career highs in total tackles (75), interceptions (8), passes defended (15), and tackles for loss (5.5). Kazee also forced two fumbles as a redshirt junior. Kazee earned a multitude of awards following the 2015 season as he was named second-team All-American by USA Today, first-team All-Mountain West and earned the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year award. His eight interceptions tied San Diego State’s program record since the team moved to Division 1 and tied a Mountain West record for most in a single season.

Kazee played his senior season with the same level of production as his junior season. He started all 13 games and recorded 60 total tackles, seven interceptions, 15 passes defended, and three tackles for loss. He was the first Aztec in program history to haul in six or more interceptions in consecutive seasons and his 17 career interceptions set a Aztec record.

In total, Kazee played in 51 games and recorded 40 starts at cornerback for the Aztecs. He totaled 231 combined tackles, 17 interceptions, 47 passes defended, 15.5 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles.

Salary cap and future: Kazee is entering the first year of his two-year extension with the Steelers. He will cost $2.12 million against the team’s 2023 cap space. He is owed $1.25 million in base salary and $875,000 in bonus money in 2023.

Kazee is signed with the team through the end of the 2024 season when he will become an unrestricted free agent at the age of 31.

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