The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed the first big name free agent of their own as they have came to terms with safety Damontae Kazee. The terms of the agreement have not yet been disclosed, but it's reported to be a two year deal for him. This signing comes on the heels of the Steelers losing another versatile piece of their secondary with Cam Sutton heading to Detroit.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back, Damontae Kazee (#24) makes a catch during training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. |
The signing was originally reported by Jordan Schultz of The Score.
#Steelers have agreed to terms with safety Damontae Kazee on a two-year deal, sources tell @theScore.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 14, 2023
Kazee came over to Pittsburgh last season from Dallas where he spent one season. Kazee was a preseason standout last year for the Steelers but suffered a broken wrist in the team's final preseason game. While on injured reserve he was suspended for three games for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. The suspension stemmed from a DWI charge that he had while playing for the Cowboys.
It was reported here a few weeks ago that the Steelers and Kazee had been having conversations about a new contract, but it was unknown how much of a priority Kazee would be. He was signed last season after the Steelers failed to draft a safety during the 2022 Draft. In 9 games last season Kazee recorded 20 tackles, 2 interceptions, and broke up 2 passes.
Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (Twitter JSKO_PHOTO)
The signing of Kazee could be more of a reaction to the loss of Sutton rather than the team's position on re-signing fellow safety Terrell Edmunds. Sutton was used in a variety of roles, and Kazee could fill some of those with his versatility. After deciding to let Edmunds test free agency last season the former first round pick decided to come back to Pittsburgh on a one-year deal. The combination of Edmunds, Kazee, and Minkah Fitzpatrick paid dividends late in the season as the team began to deploy a three-safety package to limit opposing offenses.
We will have to see if the Steelers add another safety to figure out their exact plan for Kazee.
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