The Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper, Christian Kuntz, is actually on his second go around in the Steel City, a fact that is forgotten by a lot of fans. In fact, he was in a totally different position during his first time in Pittsburgh. He recently took a walk down memory lane and recalled the time that he made a big tackle for the Steelers, something that would be pretty rare in his current position.
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Steelers long snapper, Christian Kuntz.
Kuntz is a Pittsburgh native, hailing from Bridgeville. He went to college at Duquesne University and played linebacker for the Dukes. He unfortunately tore his ACL during his sophomore season, but returned to play during his junior year. He left Duquesne sixth all-time on the FCS list for tackles. He had 30.5 sacks and 71.5 tackles for a loss.
He was not drafted in 2017, but was signed by the New England Patriots and then immediately waived. He decided he would focus more on being a long snapper in the NFL. After New England, he was also signed by the Denver Broncos and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Then in 2019, the Steelers signed Kuntz as a linebacker. Despite having a solid showing during the preseason, he was cut on the final cut-down day. After being cut, he went to the XFL and played as a long snapper for the Dallas Renegades after winning the job from an existing player.
Unfortunately, the XFL season was cut short because of the outbreak of the coronavirus. His contract was terminated because the XFL suspended operations.
Pittsburgh Steelers
In 2020, long snapper Christian Kuntz began training for a new role with the Steelers.
The Steelers brought him back again in 2020, but waived him prior to the start of the season. He had tryouts with the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts, but Pittsburgh brought him back and signed him to their practice squad. Kuntz finally won a roster spot and finally found a home with the Steelers in 2021 after beating out veteran long snapper Kameron Canaday. The Steelers re-signed him in February of 2023 to a one-year contract.
Steelers Long Snapper Christian Kuntz Once Made A Big Tackle
Recently Kuntz appeared on teammate Cam Heyward's podcast, Not Just Football With Cam Heyward, and was asked about the time he made a tackle.
During that 2019 season, Kuntz was suited up as a linebacker, back then he was number 99 instead of 46 like he is today. He was doing everything he could to earn a starting spot on this roster. This didn't come as a surprise to anyone who knew Kuntz then. During his time at Duquesne, he had more sacks than T.J. Watt did at Wisconsin, 30.5 to Watt's 11.5.
It was the preseason and the Steelers were playing the Carolina Panthers in the fourth and final exhibition game of 2019. Back when the NFL had four games in preseason, the last one was generally reserved for guys who were on the bubble. Kuntz was definitely on the bubble, he knew he had to prove himself.
Laughing about it now, Heyward asked him if there was any chance that he could jump in and play outside linebacker still. Kuntz laughs and says he could get it done Week 1 of the preseason, but no way he could do it during the regular season. He was asked about the difference between the two.
"You know, guys are freshly new to the pro game and they're pretty gassed in the fourth quarter when I would be in a preseason game. I would be in the fourth quarter, that would be my time."
Kuntz then reminds everyone that it wouldn't be a new experience for him. He said he did just that back when he was on the Steelers the first time when he sacked Panthers quarterback Will Grier.
"As you remember in 2019 when I was here as a linebacker and got one against Carolina."
Heyward admitted that he totally forgot that Kuntz was in the linebacker room, let alone remembering he made a tackle. He jokes that he is going to ask Watt about it. From the background, you hear Watt evoke a "Mike Tomlinism" and call Kuntz a "nameless grey face."
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation
Steelers' T.J. Watt (left) and Cam Heyward (right) during the 2023 training camp.
While every player works hard to make it to the NFL, not every player has a straight route to get there. Some players, like Kuntz, have to claw their way into a starting spot, even if that means changing positions.
Do you remember when Kuntz was an outside linebacker for the Steelers? Do you recall his big play? Click to comment below.
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