The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that is looking to solidify itself as a competitor in the AFC for the 2025 season, and the franchise should be looking to make some moves around the trade deadline. The organization already brought in safety Kyle Dugger from the New England Patriots, and he made an immediate impact in a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Steelers could use some help on the offensive side of the ball as well, but more additions could be made to shore up the defense as well.
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Steelers' Kyle Dugger gets involved on a tackle during a game against the Indianapolis Colts in 2025.
There is some positional uncertainty at safety for the Steelers as well as a bunch of injuries. The position has changed a ton throughout the season, and the Steelers could certainly use some more depth in the area.
Unfortunately, Minkah Fitzpatrick would only be an option if he were to be cut as Pittsburgh cannot trade for him within two years of trading him away. However, his former running mate Damontae Kazee is a potential option for the Steelers after he was released by the Cleveland Browns on Monday.
The Browns are back on the practice field shortly following their weekend off.
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) November 3, 2025
WR Cedric Tillman has been designated for return from injured reserve. Safety Damontae Kazee has been released.
Kazee is a veteran with a good amount of experience, and he could certainly sign with Pittsburgh if the front office wants him to return to the black and gold. However, there are other safety-needy teams throughout the league as well. The coaching staff in the Steel City understands and appreciates familiar voices on the roster, and Kazee could provide decent depth while also being familiar with the defense and everyone in the building.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee warms up ahead of a home game in 2023.
Juan Thornhill and Chuck Clark have been other contributors at safety for the Steelers in 2025, but there is a real chance that Kazee might be a better option than either of those players. Both Thornhill and Clark have seemed to be at the center of communication issues in the secondary, and whenever there is an obvious coverage bust Clark seems to always be one of the players closest to the scene of the crime.
Kazee signed with the Browns during the 2025 offseason, and he had only played in four games through the first nine weeks of the season. He had been on the field for just 11 defensive snaps, as he seemed to be more of a special teamer in Cleveland. Despite the reduced role in 2025, he could provide some value to Pittsburgh, even if he is just signed to the practice squad.
The fan base in Pittsburgh might not have always loved Kazee, but he played a lot of football for the Steelers throughout the three seasons he spent with the team. At the very least he provides depth for Pittsburgh at a position of need, and he wouldn't be expensive to sign. This is the type of signing the Steelers would make, and it completely makes sense to do so.
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Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey (5) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Have Found A Successful Safety Combination
Ahead of Pittsburgh's game on Sunday against the Colts, it was announced that cornerback Jalen Ramsey would be playing exclusively free safety. He had been playing some safety throughout the year depending on what the opposing offense was doing, but on Sunday he did not leave the position. It was Ramsey and Dugger leading the way in the defensive backfield, and the duo had a pretty good day.
It will be interesting to see if that is something the Steelers continue to use in the coming weeks, but it probably should be since it was so affective against the best offense in the NFL.
Would you like to see the Steelers go out and sign Kazee after he was released? Let us know in the comments below!
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