Steelers To Sign S Darnell Savage

The deal is worth just under $1.5MM, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, with a veteran-minimum salary and $188k signing bonus.

Savage, 28, played for three different teams in 2025. He was entering the second year of a three-year deal with the Jaguars, but was released just two games into the year. The Commanders picked him up shortly after, and he appeared in eight games as their third safety. Washington then waived Savage in December, and he finished the season in Buffalo, which included a Week 18 start with the Bills’ playoff seeding to secure and a special teams nod against the Broncos in the divisional round.

Originally a Packers first-round pick in 2019, Savage started 69 games for the Packers on his rookie contract, which included his fifth-year option in 2023. He only started 10 games that year and left Green Bay in free agency. He signed a three-year, $21.75MM with the Jaguars to take over as their starting safety, but struggled again with injuries and made only 13 starts in 2024.

Savage will be looking to rebuild his value after a few disappointing seasons. Staying healthy will be crucial in that quest, as will carving out a role under new Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Jalen Ramsey will take up one safety spot, and DeShon Elliott is likely slated for the second. However, he is coming off a season-ending injury and may have to re-earn his starting job. That could be an opportunity for Savage, but more likely, he will serve as the team’s No. 3 safety.