Steelers Re-Sign Safety Damontae Kazee to 2-Year Deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a two-year contract extension with safety Damontae Kazee, according to a report by Jordan Schultz of The Score. The terms of the contract were not immediately announced.

Kazee, 29, joined the Steelers in 2022 on a one-year deal and impressed in a limited role. After suffering a broken arm in training camp and dealing with a suspension stemming from a 2021 DUI, Kazee made his Pittsburgh debut in Week 9 and played in each of the final nine games, making four starts.

Kazee served as the top backup to both strong safety Terrell Edmunds and free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and also worked as the third safety in the team’s heavy Nickel and Dime packages.

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It’s not clear if the Steelers will be looking for Kazee to reprise his 2022 role or return to the starting mold that he held earlier in his career with the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. Edmunds is also a free agent and has yet to agree to a new contract with a team.

A fifth-round pick out of San Diego State for the Falcons in the 2017 NFL Draft, Kazee played sparingly as a rookie, but quickly moved into a starting role for Atlanta in his second season in 2018. That year, he set career highs in tackles with 82, passes defended with 10 and seven interceptions, which also led the NFL.

He continued as Atlanta’s starter through the next three seasons, but tore his Achilles tendon in Week 4 of the 2020 season. He entered free agency in 2021 and signed with the Cowboys, where helped rejuvenate the Dallas defense in 2021.

Kazee started 15 games with the Cowboys and recorded 52 tackles, two interceptions, four passes defended and two forced fumbles, while playing for Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who was his first head coach with the Falcons.

Kazee is the second Steelers pending unrestricted free agent to re-sign with the team, joining wide receiver Anthony Miller. The Steelers have also added one external free agent in cornerback Patrick Peterson.