NFL Insider Updates Damontae Kazee's Status With The Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers safety, Damontae Kazee is one of the team's many free agents. The Steelers were able to sign Kazee prior to the 2022 season at a bargain basement price. He was arrested during the bye week of 2021 for a DWI while playing for the Dallas Cowboys. That surely impacted his free agency prices. 

That means for $1,187,500, the Steelers acquired a starter-caliber player on a one-year contract. However, Kazee was injured, breaking his forearm, during the final game of the preseason. He spent the first nine weeks of the season on the injured reserve. While on the IR, Kazee was handed a three-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.   

Pittsburgh Steelers Found A Dual Threat In Kazee

Once Kazee finally returned to the field, he showed he was worth the wait. He brought some much-needed flexibility to the safety position. No one is disputing the talents of starting safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds, but they finally had a backup that could play both the center of the field and in the box. 

Kazee has been through a lot in his career - the DWI, multiple injuries, and several team changes. He did bring a spark of life to the Steelers' defense when they needed it most. His return coincided with the return of the also-injured TJ Watt, but it would be hard to dispute the positive effect Kazee had. 

He is only 5'11" and about 174 lbs, but Kazee plays like a much larger player. One of his biggest assets is his ability to hit hard. Despite only playing nine games he logged 20 tackles. He also has a nose for the ball and has a gift for interceptions, getting 2 during his half-season with the Steelers.  

Now NFL Insider for Heavy.com, Matt Lombardo is saying that the Steelers and Kazee have a "mutual interest" in reaching a new deal. Lombardo also says fans should expect a strong market for the 29-year-old Kazee: