Suspension taught Kazee to change tackling technique

A three-game suspension at the end of the 2023 regular season convinced Damontae Kazee he must alter his approach to tackling.

Kazee was suspended for his violent hit on Indianapolis’ Michael Pittman in a mid-December game that sent the Colts wide receiver to concussion protocol. He was ejected and then suspended for leading with his helmet on a defenseless receiver.

After returning for the Steelers’ playoff loss at Buffalo, Kazee spent the offseason contemplating the way he tackles and concluded he must take a safer approach.

“I definitely got to change,” Kazee said Thursday after the Steelers’ sixth OTA session. “I have to. The NFL is changing, so I have to change with it.”

The league reinforced its stance on player safety in March when owners voted unanimously to make the hip-drop tackle illegal, another change aimed at protecting offensive players.

“They are putting in new rules, and you have to adjust to it,” Kazee said.

Players won’t don pads and begin tackling until training camp ramps up in early August. That gives Kazee the final week of OTAs and a three-day minicamp to work on his technique before the Steelers take their summer break.

“It’s tough for his style of game,” Steelers safety and special teams standout Miles Killebrew said. “He takes it very seriously to be able to throw his body into things and to be an impactful tackling safety. Our margin for error (as defenders) is so small that it’s a learning curve for all of us.

“Someone as exciting and energetic as Kazee, it’s going to be a process for him. He’s learning it, he’s doing it, he’s a professional and I have no hesitation relying on him getting it done.”

When he appealed his suspension during a hearing that involved NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Kazee asked the league to provide a video showing safer tackling techniques.

“The NFL is switching with tackling, and it’s nice to have them provide us more clarity,” he said.

Kazee’s suspension came at the low point of the season for the Steelers. Their 30-13 loss at Indianapolis was their third in a row and dropped their record to 7-7. All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick left that game with an injury and missed the final three games as well.

Despite not having any of their three most decorated safeties — Keanu Neal already had sustained a season- ending injury — the Steelers relied on converted corner Patrick Peterson and newly signed Eric Rowe to fill the position down the stretch.

It wasn’t until after the Steelers unexpectedly reeled off three consecutive wins to reach the postseason that Kazee could rejoin the team. And it happened only when the NFL shortened his sentence by ruling him eligible for playoff games.

While the Steelers were winning without him, Kazee was in California with his family for the holidays.

“It was tough, but I’ve got two kids,” he said. “I got to spend Christmas with them. I enjoyed it, made the most of it.”

Kazee came off the bench in the 31-17 loss to the Bills and played 20 snaps. One came at a critical juncture of the game. In the second quarter with Buffalo holding a 14-0 lead, Kazee approached Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who was scrambling for a first down. Allen hesitated like he might slide, then kept running. He bounced off a Kazee tackle attempt and went 52 yards for a touchdown.

“I was happy (to be back), but it did slow me down a little bit,” Kazee said. “I’m wondering, ‘How do I approach people now.’ … He ran that fake slide on me, and it froze me up. ‘Do I take my shot?’ I don’t know.”

That confusion extends to wide receivers such as Pittman.

“Do I let them catch the ball, do I wait till he catches it and looks at me before I make a tackle? There were a lot of things going through my head,” he said.

The Steelers made several changes to their secondary in the offseason, the most significant coming when they signed DeShon Elliott in free agency to start alongside Fitzpatrick. Peterson, Neal and Rowe no longer are with the organization.

The Steelers could have parted ways with Kazee, too. He is in the second and final year of his contract, and the organization could save his $3 million salary if Kazee is released. On the other hand, Kazee brings with him 92 career games and 62 starts with the Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys and Steelers.

“He’s an energetic guy and exciting to be around,” Killebrew said. “He’s one of the better post players you’ll see in the league.”

Kazee never thought the Steelers might move on from him, although he has been in the NFL long enough to take nothing for granted.

“Never in my mind,” he said. “If it happens, I know how to move. I’m a vet. I have no hate in my heart. Just move on to the next.”