Safety Keanu Neal of the University of Florida was chosen by the Atlanta Falcons with the 17th overall choice in the 2017 NFL Draft.

They selected former San Diego State standout Damontae Kazee as a safety with a fifth-round choice the following year, beginning a partnership that has taken them to three different NFL clubs and lasted the greater part of six NFL seasons.

Neal and Kazee have combined for a great deal of playing time and mileage in the NFL, having played together for teams from Atlanta to Dallas and now the Steelers. And in 2023, the Steelers will reap benefits from that link they have created.

Being on the same team at the same moment occurs frequently. It is somewhat uncommon to do so twice at distinct stops. jointly representing three separate teams? That is practically unheard of.

We’re content as long as we carry on,” Kazee remarked. “It’s year eight for him, and year seven for me. We are fortunate to continue.”

In order to strengthen their defensive backfield, the Steelers signed Kazee in free agency before the 2022 campaign and then signed Neal before the 2023 season. And the inclusion of that pair has allowed All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick to play a more active role in their defensive backfield this year.

Fitzpatrick, who is highly skilled, has been deployed by the Steelers all over the field in recent years. However, in 2023, he has seen 172 defensive snaps at free safety, 118 in the slot, and 85 in the box. Thanks to the arrivals of Neal and Kazee, he has even played 17 snaps essentially as an outside cornerback. This has allowed him to do all of those things without exposing the Steelers’ defense.

The Steelers’ 5-3 start to the season is a result of their influence.

In the team’s eight games this season, Kazee has 32 tackles, an interception, and two fumble recoveries, while Neal has 42 tackles, a fumble recovery, and a pass defensed.

Neal remarked, “I think we complement each other pretty well. “That’s usually a positive thing because it allows us all the chance to do different things within the system. It allows Minkah to use his skill set by allowing him to do various things. His background is in a corner. He is an expert player. It helps us to have him execute various tasks and to position him to create plays.”

Additionally, it helps the Steelers in situations where Fitzpatrick isn’t available, like they did in their 20-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night.

Fitzpatrick’s hamstring injury sustained during the Steelers’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday forced them to rely even more on Kazee and Neal’s abilities. Kazee and Neal combined for 11 total tackles while playing 100% and 89% of the defensive snaps for the team.

For two guys who have played together for a long time, it was nothing new.

That boy is mine. About Neal, Kazee recalled that during the off-season, “he’d been talking to them here.” “I provided him some important information regarding the base defense, his place in the group, and how they can truly assist you here. He made the right choice.”

Greeting each other warmly in the locker

It can be beneficial to have a familiar face in the locker room when you join a new squad. It is really helpful to have one who also plays the same position.

It’s awesome. It’s a big chemistry,” Neal remarked. “Going to a new scheme, having a familiar face, somebody you played with, that you understand, that you’ve been to battle with for a good while, it definitely helps you when you’re out on the field with him.”

Following his tenure as Dallas’ starting free safety in 2021, Kazee signed a free agent contract with the Steelers prior to the 2022 campaign. With his arrival, the Steelers now had a man who could play in the deep post in the event that Fitzpatrick was injured or the club decided to use a three-safety lineup.

It can be beneficial to have a familiar face in the locker room when you join a new squad. It is really helpful to have one who also plays the same position.

It’s awesome. It’s a big chemistry,” Neal remarked. “Going to a new scheme, having a familiar face, somebody you played with, that you understand, that you’ve been to battle with for a good while, it definitely helps you when you’re out on the field with him.”

Following his tenure as Dallas’ starting free safety in 2021, Kazee signed a free agent contract with the Steelers prior to the 2022 campaign. With his arrival, the Steelers now had a man who could play in the deep post in the event that Fitzpatrick was injured or the club decided to use a three-safety lineup.

“I had options, but I chose to follow Coach Quinn, to really stay with him and be around him, the respect I have for him,” Neal spoke of his decision to go to linebacker for the Cowboys in 2021 during his free agency. Neal had 14 appearances and five starts in that position.

“The opportunity was there, so the transition wasn’t too bad. But that didn’t mean that was my only chance to play dime on the field. It was really a decision.”

It also kept him and Kazee playing together. Within a few weeks of one another, the two signed with the Cowboys, sticking with Quinn, who had been hired by Dallas earlier in the offseason after his contract expired.

According to Teryl Austin, the defensive coordinator, “those guys play well together.” “I believe that, as with anything else, the key is to integrate new personnel into the existing system and understand how it differs from the previous one to avoid confusion and erroneous actions. But those guys seem to be adjusting fairly well. Although it’s Keanu’s first year, Kazee has undoubtedly experienced it. The way those guys are staring excites me.”

Not only has Neal played some linebacker, but he and Kazee have also played strong safety and free safety, which is one of the reasons it works so well.

They are able to perform a variety of tasks due to their ability.

“I don’t think there’s a difference between free safety and strong,” Kazee stated. “You must initiate tackles. You must provide cover. You must play within your zone.

Like a linebacker, Neal hits. He doesn’t play like a linebacker, in my opinion. He is really intelligent.”

And every week, they’re getting a deeper sense of how to work with Fitzpatrick’s diverse skill set.

“I’m aware of his style. I am familiar with him inside and out,” Kazee remarked of playing