Steelers Release Former Michigan National Champion

The Pittsburgh Steelers have parted ways with a defensive back after officially announcing the signing of safety Darnell Savage Jr. 

As the corresponding move, the Steelers have released Makari Paige on the first day of mandatory minicamp. 

Pittsburgh signed Paige to a one-year deal shortly before OTAs began on May 13. 

A national champion at Michigan in 2023, where he was teammates with Roman Wilson, Paige signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants last year. 

He posted nine tackles along with an interception during the preseason but did not make the Giants’ 53-man roster. 

Paige was always an extreme longshot to crack the Steelers’ roster at the end of the summer, and he’ll now look to catch on with another team. 

How Will Steelers Deploy Their Secondary Under Patrick Graham?

Of all the position groups on defense, it’s the secondary that saw the most change this offseason. 

The core largely remains the same, as Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Brandin Echols, Asante Samuel Jr., and DeShon Elliott all return, but the group also has a pair of new starters in Jaquan Brisker at safety and at cornerback with Jamel Dean. 

Porter Jr. and Dean are set to start on the boundary and form one of the better duos in the league while Ramsey lines up in the slot.

Samuel profiles as Pittsburgh's best backup corner on the outside, and the same can be said for Echols in the slot. Rookie third-round pick Daylen Everette, who has impressed during OTAs, could also push for playing time at either position if he continues to progress.