The Pittsburgh Steelers have released veteran strong safety Darnell Savage, the team announced on Sunday, to make room for the signing of Rayshawn Jenkins.
Savage, whose signing was initially reported way back in March, had his official entry to the team delayed by several months as he worked through an undisclosed lower-body injury. He eventually formally signed with the team just before the start of OTAs and participated in OTAs and minicamp.
In the first week of Steelers training camp at St. Vincent College, Savage worked extensively in the first two days of practices, helping to replaced DeShon Elliott, who is working his way back to full speed after a season-ending hamstring injury in 2025.
Savage did not take part in team drills on either Friday or Saturday, with former practice squad player Jack Henderson and seventh-round draft pick Robert Spears-Jennings taking Elliott's place when he was not with the first team.
The Steelers agreed to a one-year deal with Jenkins on Saturday, but did not formally announce it until Sunday, with the release of Savage creating the necessary opening on the 90-man offseason roster.
Savage's release will cause a $187,500 dead cap hit for the team, which can be spread across the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Savage played for three teams last year — two games for Jacksonville, eight games for Washington and two games for the Buffalo Bills. He also started 13 games for the Jaguars in 2024.
Savage spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers, who selected him in the first round (No. 21 overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. By then, however, Mike McCarthy had been replaced at the helm by Matt LaFleur.
In 97 career games, 83 starts, Savage has recorded 371 tackles (275 solo), 11 tackles for loss, 41 passes defended, three forced fumbles, three quarterback hits and one interception, which was a pick-six.
Brendan Howe and Chris Ward contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Cut Ties with former First-Round Pick Defensive Back
