The AFC North is one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, producing some of the more ruthless rivalries between the four teams.
After three seasons as a Pittsburgh Steelers safety, tormenting the Browns twice per year, Damontae Kazee has signed a free agent deal to join Cleveland, per Mike Garafolo.
Kazee signs with the Browns on the heels of former Cleveland safety Juan Thornhill joining the Steelers, essentially swapping places in the AFC North.
Kazee originally joined the Atlanta Falcons as a fifth-round draft pick in 2017where he played four seasons. The San Diego State product then signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent in 2021.
Kazee then signed with the Steelers, where he played from 2022-24. While in Pittsburgh, Kazee appeared in 38 games with 14 starts and totaled five interceptions, two forced fumbles and 112 total tackles with 79 solo.
Kazee's time in Pittsburgh wasn't without issues, as he had to serve a three-game suspension in 2022 for violating the league's substance abuse policy and missed the last three games of 2023 with a suspension for an illegal hit to the head of Colts wideout Michael Pittman Jr. in Week 15.
Across eight seasons and 107 game appearances with 63 starts, Kazee has posted 17 interceptions, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 363 total tackles with 251 solo and three for loss.
Kazee will join fellow safeties Grant Delpit, Christopher Edmonds, Ronnie Hickman, Trey Dean III and Donovan McMillon in Cleveland, where he hopes to offer the same torment to his former team that he dealt to the Browns the past three seasons.