3 Pittsburgh Steelers playing their way off the roster in 2023
By Randy Gurzi
After years of being a playoff contender, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been struggling in 2022. It’s their first year without Ben Roethlisberger but that’s been far from the only reason for their decline.
With an offseason of change once again looming for this franchise, here’s a look at three players who are playing their way off the roster — for one reason or another — in 2023.
3 Pittsburgh Steelers playing their way off the roster in 2023
3. Damontae Kazee, Safety
A torn Achilles in 2020 ended Damontae Kazee’s tenure with the Atlanta Falcons but then he was able to prove he was healthy the following season with the Dallas Cowboys.
He reunited with Dan Quinn, who was his head coach in Atlanta when he was added as a fifth-round pick. Quinn joined Dallas that same year and Kazee was his starting free safety. He finished with 52 tackles and two picks but wasn’t retained after they re-signed Malik Hooker and Jayron Kearse.
Kazee then headed to Pittsburgh in 2022 and had an injury early on as well as a three-game suspension. With that behind him, he’s played in the past five games and has had three starts. Kazee has again shown he’s a capable starter, posting 11 tackles, one pass defense, and a pick so far.
With many teams needing some help at free safety, his play will surely lead to an opportunity for more snaps elsewhere. The Steelers already have their free safety in Minkah Fitzpatrick so they likely won’t get involved in any bidding war should that be the case.