Steelers Now
The Cleveland Browns are releasing former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
It was an agreement between player and team, with Kazee forfeiting over $200,000 in guarantees for the chance to find playing time elsewhere, per Garafolo.
Kazee, who played for the Steelers from 2022-2024, was active for four games with the 2-6 Browns.
Kazee played in 38 games and made 14 starts for the Steelers during his three-year tenure. He mostly served as a backup to starting free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and also was the third safety in the team’s Heavy Nickel package.
After a preseason injury and a suspension limited him to nine games in 2022, Kazee had his best season in Pittsburgh in 2023, when a number of injuries around him at the safety position caused an uptick in his role. He finished that season with 61 tackles, three passes defended and two interceptions while playing in 772 snaps on defense.
The addition of strong safety DeShon Elliott and a more-healthy season for Fitzpatrick caused Kazee’s role to decrease to 289 snaps in 2024.
Originally a fifth-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2017, Kazee, spent four seasons in Atlanta and one with the Dallas Cowboys before joining the Steelers in 2022.
The Steelers replaced Kazee this past offseason, by taking on a former Browns safety in Juan Thornhill. Head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this offseason that Thornhill will take over the role vacated by Kazee. Thornhill has not been great with the Steelers thus far.
The Steelers are banged-up at safety right now, so perhaps a reunion could be in the cards with Kazee.
Safety Kyle Dugger, who was traded for on Tuesday, had a standout performance in the Steelers’ win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Duggar started at strong safety, while versatile defensive back Jalen Ramsey played the majority of his snaps at free safety.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting for this story.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Browns Abruptly Part Ways with Former Steelers Safety
