PITTSBURGH — Veteran safety Darnell Savage believes he still has plenty of football left in him.
After an up-and-down 2025 season that saw him suit up for three different organizations, Savage signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers looking for a fresh start. Now entering his eighth NFL season, the former first-round pick believes reuniting with familiar coaches and joining one of the league's most respected organizations could help him return to the level of play he displayed during his time in Green Bay .
Savage joins one of the most revamped secondaries in football. The Steelers added former Bears standout Jaquan Brisker in free agency while welcoming back DeShon Elliott after an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. Veteran defensive back Jalen Ramsey also arrives with the ability to line up at multiple positions, creating stiff competition for snaps throughout the secondary.
Still, Savage is confident his versatility gives him value regardless of where he's asked to play.
"I feel like I can do whatever they need me to do. I've always felt that way. I still think there's a lot of meat left on the bone. There are a lot of plays left for me to make and a lot more football to be played," Savage said.
His familiarity with the coaching staff could also help ease the transition. Savage spent the first five years of his NFL career playing under Mike McCarthy in Green Bay and also has experience in Patrick Graham 's defensive system. While Pittsburgh's defense is adjusting to a new coaching staff, Savage already has a strong understanding of many of the concepts and expectations.
"It's always good to see a familiar face," Savage said. "In life, that just makes the transition a little smoother. You feel like you can be a little more yourself."
Whether Savage earns a starting role or settles into a rotational role, his experience playing both safety spots, covering the slot and contributing on special teams should make him one of the more versatile defensive backs on Pittsburgh's roster heading into training camp.
31 • Darnell Savage
, Safety, Maryland
5-foot-11, 198 pounds, 28 years old, 8th pro season
Acquired : Savage signed a one-year veteran benefit contract with the Steelers during the 2026 offseason. The deal is worth $1,487,500 and includes a $1.3 million base salary along with a $187,500 signing bonus, which represents the only guaranteed money in the contract.
| Year |
Team |
GP |
GS |
Tackles |
INT |
PD |
FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 |
Green Bay |
14 |
14 |
75 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
| 2020 |
Green Bay |
16 |
16 |
75 |
4 |
12 |
1 |
| 2021 |
Green Bay |
16 |
16 |
66 |
1 |
9 |
0 |
| 2022 |
Green Bay |
17 |
17 |
58 |
1 |
6 |
0 |
| 2023 |
Green Bay |
12 |
9 |
36 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
| 2024 |
13 |
13 |
48 |
1 |
6 |
0 |
|
| 2025 |
JAX / WSH / BUF |
12 |
1 |
25 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
| Career | | 100 | 86 | 383 | 10 | 44 | 4 |
Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage (26) returns an interception for a touchdown during the second quarter of the wild card playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, January 14, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. — Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Green Bay Packers selected Savage with the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft after an impressive career at Maryland, and he quickly developed into one of the cornerstones of Green Bay's secondary.
From 2019 through 2023, Savage started 72 of the 75 games he appeared in with the Packers, totaling more than 300 tackles, nine interceptions, 30 passes defended and two forced fumbles. One of the signature moments of his career came during Green Bay's Wild Card victory over the Dallas Cowboys following the 2023 season when he returned an interception 64 yards for a touchdown against Mike McCarthy's team.
Following the 2023 season, Savage signed a three-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars . His first season in Jacksonville was solid, as he appeared in 13 games and finished with 48 tackles, six passes defended and one interception while serving as one of the Jaguars' starting safeties.
The following season proved much different. After opening the 2025 campaign with Jacksonville, Savage saw his defensive role diminish before eventually being released. He was then claimed by the Washington Commanders , where he appeared in eight games before once again becoming available later in the year. Buffalo signed him for the final stretch of the season, where he primarily contributed on special teams and as a depth defender.
Although the constant movement made for a difficult season, Savage still believes he's capable of returning to the form that made him one of the league's more dependable starting safeties during his tenure in Green Bay. With familiarity in the coaching staff and another opportunity in front of him, he'll now look to prove exactly that in Pittsburgh.
| Year |
GP |
Tackles |
TFL |
INT |
PD |
FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 |
12 |
17 |
0.5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| 2016 |
13 |
30 |
3.0 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
| 2017 |
12 |
59 |
5.0 |
3 |
8 |
2 |
| 2018 |
12 |
76 |
4.0 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
| Career |
49 |
182 |
12.5 |
8 |
15 |
4 |
Savage worked his way into becoming a first-round pick with a standout career at Maryland.After seeing limited action as a true freshman, Savage became one of the Terrapins' most versatile defensive players over his final three seasons. His combination of speed, instincts and physicality allowed him to line up at both safety spots while also making an impact near the line of scrimmage.
By the time his college career came to an end, Savage had totaled 182 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, eight interceptions, 15 passes defended and four forced fumbles. Two of his interceptions were returned for touchdowns, showcasing the playmaking ability that ultimately made him a first-round selection.Savage earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in both 2017 and 2018 before declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft.
Savage cemented himself as one of the most athletic defensive backs in the 2019 NFL Draft with an outstanding performance at the NFL Combine.
He ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, posted a 39.5-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot broad jump, displaying the explosiveness and range that made him an attractive first-round prospect. He also recorded a 4.14-second short shuttle and a 6.91-second three-cone drill, reinforcing his ability to play in space and match up with receivers.
His athletic profile, combined with his versatility at Maryland, helped convince the Packers to make him the 21st overall pick.
Savage signed a one-year veteran benefit contract with the Steelers during the 2026 offseason.
The deal is worth $1,487,500 and includes a $1.3 million base salary along with a $187,500 signing bonus, which represents the only guaranteed money in the contract.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Darnell Savage Looking to Reignite Career with Steelers
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