“Browns doing dumb stuff again”: NFL fans react as Cleveland release Damontae Kazee ahead of trade deadline

The Cleveland Browns are parting ways with one of their off-season defensive signings, leaving some fans puzzled. NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the club have released safety Damontae Kazee and designated wide receiver Cedric Tillman to return to practice.

Getting rid of a strong cover man like Kazee is a move that has some scratching their heads.

“The browns doing dumb s**t again,” said one fan.

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“Oo my word,” said another. “Man, that’s Kazee,” said someone else.

Kazee has been a mainstay in the league since 2017. He was the co-leader in the NFL regarding interceptions in 2018.

While some are disappointed Kazee is out, there’s speculation he may be back in a familiar place.

Kazee played two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 and 2023. He had a combined four interceptions during his time there, with a total of five passes defended. While the Browns are among the best defensive units in the NFL, they have struggled a little in pass coverage, allowing 182.2 yards per game. In contrast, they have only given up 94.3 yards per game on the ground to this stage of the season.

Kazee had only joined the Browns in May. While he has put together some solid seasons in the past, he was pretty low on the team’s pecking order in 2025. Before his release, he hadn’t defended a single pass for them in the regular season.

He was more of an insurance policy with Rayshawn Jenkins, Ronnie Hickman, and Donovan McMillon getting most of the safety reps so far this season.

Kazee’s release may be a positive boost for Browns

While some aren’t a fan of the release of Kazee, his loss may be a gain for a team whose offense is struggling.

Getting Kazee out and having Tillman back is viewed as a positive development for the offense. The Browns have the fourth-worst passing offense in the NFL and have not been able to get much going in that area.

Tillman had 11 catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns in the first four games of 2025 for Cleveland. The offence has sputtered and is missing a big-play guy who can step up. Kazee, meanwhile, had previously dealt with off-field issues, having been arrested in 2022 during his time with the Dallas Cowboys. The club no longer have to worry about any potential distractions with him.

The Browns will seek their first road victory of the season on Sunday when they travel to MetLife Stadium for a date with the New York Jets.

Edited by Joel Lefevre