Steelers Make Four Signings Official

While it was already common knowledge, the Pittsburgh Steelers made the signings of safety Damontae Kazee, tight end Zach Gentry, safety Keanu Neal and nose tackle Breiden Fehoko all official on Tuesday. All of the Steelers’ free agent signing have now signed on the dotted line. Gentry and Kazee were re-signed, while Neal and Fehoko were picked up via free agency. The financial details of Gentry and Fehoko’s one-year deals were not released or reported by an outside source, likewise for Neal’s two-year contract. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Kazee received a two-year, $6 million deal that includes a $1.75 million signing bonus from Pittsburgh.

Gentry was drafted by the Steelers in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Michigan. In four seasons, he has played in 40 games, starting 26. He has 39 career receptions for 303 yards. In 2022, Gentry started 13 of the 17 games he played and finished the year with 19 receptions for 132 yards.

Kazee, who’s entering his seventh season and second with the Steelers, has played in 78 career games and compiled 53 starts. He has 257 career tackles, 172 of them solo stops, 14 interceptions, 19 passes defended, seven forced fumbles and three tackles for a loss. Kazee played in nine games, starting four, in 2022, after starting the season on the reserve/injured list. He finished with 19 tackles, 11 of them solo stops, two interceptions and two passes defended. As of now, Kazee is projected to be the Steelers starting strong safety in 2023.

Fehoko made the Chargers initial 53-man roster in 2022, but was waived on Sept. 12 and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on Nov. 9. Fehoko recorded a career-high 279 defensive snaps and 36 on special teams in 2022. The LSU product has appeared in 19 career games with four starts and has 36 tackles. Fehoko has no career sacks and just one tackle for loss. Standing at 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, Fehoko will compete with Montravious Adams for the starting nose tackle position.

“What’s up Steelers Nation? Breiden Fehoko here, just touched down in the Steel City. I’m excited to get to work. Here we go baby, let’s get it!” Fehoko said in a video released by the team on Tuesday.

.@breidenfehoko4 checkin' in 🗣 pic.twitter.com/vzeqf5L7u3

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 4, 2023

Neal, who was originally selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at 17th overall, has played in 80 career games, starting 61 of them in seven seasons. He has 463 career tackles, 320 solo stops, and 21 tackles for a loss. He has 20 passes defended, 11 quarterback hits, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three interceptions and 2.5 sacks. Neal recorded a combined 14 passes defended and eight forced fumbles in his first two seasons in Atlanta. He also recorded over 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2017.

Injuries derailed Neal’s 2018 and 2019 seasons. After a bounce-back year in 2020, Neal signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, starting five of the 14 games he played. He finished that season with 70 tackles, 42 of them solo stops, and added one sack. Neal played linebacker while in Dallas.

Neal spent the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing in all 17 games, with eight starts. He finished the season with 61 tackles, 39 of them solo stops, two tackles for a loss, four passes defended, one interception and half a sack. Neal is expected to be the Steelers No. 3 safety.

“What’s going on Steelers Nation? This is Keanu Neal here. I just signed, ready to go. I mean, bring that physicality, bring  that presence. I’m ready to get after it. Here we go!” Neal said in a video released by the team on Tuesday.

Bringing that physicality to Pittsburgh 💪 @Keanu_Neal pic.twitter.com/efF6hR6n6x

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 4, 2023