The Pittsburgh Steelers are adding a veteran safety who entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick seven years ago.
Darnell Savage, who played for three different teams last season, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Steelers, according to NFL Network. He started 82 of 85 games over his first six seasons, but the 28-year-old free agent was released twice last year.
Savage played two games for Jacksonville, eight with Washington and two for Buffalo, where he made his only start of the 2025 season.
Originally drafted 21st overall by the Packers in 2019, Savage played his first five seasons in Green Bay. He has 10 career interceptions, 371 tackles and 41 passes defensed.
The 5-foot-11, 198-pound safety adds depth for the Steelers at a position where Kyle Dugger, Chuck Clark, Jabrill Peppers and Miles Killebrew are all free agents.
Savage entered the NFL with much acclaim. He immediately secured a job as a rookie starter after the Packers traded up to draft him in coach Matt LaFleur’s first season.
A second-team All-Big Ten selection at Maryland, Savage earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team by intercepting two passes, making 55 tackles and forcing two fumbles in 2019. He added a career-high four interceptions in his second season with the Packers.
In 2024, Savage signed as a free agent with the Jaguars and started 13 games. However, he lost his starting job a year later and was released two games into last season.
Free agents can officially sign contracts starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, once the new league year begins.