Steelers Now
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.
| Career | | 100 | 86 | 383 | 10 | 44 | 4 |
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...
