Browns sign former Steelers star to bolster defense behind Myles Garrett

The Cleveland Browns picked up a former starter from their division rival on Monday.

They signed free agent safety Damontae Kazee to try and give their defense a boost on the back end. The deal was first reported by NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Kazee joined the Steelers in 2022 and had five interceptions across his three seasons in Pittsburgh.

He was actually one of two safeties the Browns signed on Monday, along with Rayshawn Jenkins. Clearly, that's an area Cleveland felt it needed an upgrade.

Ironically, the Steelers signed former Browns safety Juan Thornhill earlier this offseason. It works out to a bit of a swap.

MORE: Steelers, Aaron Rodgers on verge of major announcement

Kazee played his first four NFL seasons with the Falcons, leading the league in interceptions in 2018 with seven.

He then played a year in Dallas before his three in Pittsburgh. 

Kazee has 363 career tackles in 107 games.

The Browns confirmed that Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah is lost to season-ending implications of last season's neck injury, so at least they picked up a little defensive help in the meantime.

MORE NFL NEWS:

• Giants' Jaxson Dart has a concerning habit
• Ravens officially facing a kicking controversy
• Browns' Shedeur Sanders has already shown he belongs as an NFL QB
• Chiefs' Travis Kelce makes a shocking announcement about his body
• Saints sign a QB involved in a betting controversy
• Jets brothers trying to make history not seen since Dayton Triangles, Duluth Eskimos