Cleveland trades former ASU LB Demario Davis back to the New York Jets.

CLEVELAND — Demario Davis spent one long, losing season in Cleveland. Now the linebacker is going back where he started.

Davis (Arkansas State) is returning to the New York Jets after being traded Thursday by the Browns for safety Calvin Pryor.

Davis, 28, spent four seasons with the Jets, who drafted him in the third round in 2012. He signed a two-year, $8 million contract with Cleveland as an unrestricted free agent before the 2016 season, which ended with the Browns going 1-15.

The Jets will assume his $3.7 million contract this season.

Davis did not appear to be part of Cleveland’s long-term plans, with the team signing both Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey to contract extensions this offseason.

Davis made 15 starts and finished second on the Browns with 99 tackles and two sacks last season.

Pryor, who made 38 starts over three seasons in New York, will give the Browns more depth in their secondary. The Jets had declined to exercise Pryor’s fifthyear option, leaving his future with the franchise in question.

“Calvin is a young, experienced safety that has upside,” said Browns executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown. “We are pleased to be able to add him to our defensive back room and just like every player we acquire, we expect him to come in with a hard-working mindset ready to compete. Demario is a guy that we developed the utmost respect for in his time with our team, not only as a professional but also as a person. We appreciate all he did for our organization in his time in Cleveland.”