The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly signed veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins to bolster the experience and depth in the back end of their secondary. But to bring in Jenkins, the Steelers also released an experienced veteran safety — Darnell Savage.
The Steelers officially announced the pair of roster moves Sunday afternoon.
Savage was one of two veteran safeties the Steelers signed during NFL free agency this offseason. Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora called the team’s decision to part ways with him early in training camp “surprising.”
“Savage didn’t work in the team period the last two days, but it’s surprising to see him let go,” wrote Kozora on X.
Savage has started 83 of 97 games in his seven-year NFL career. Last season, he played in 12 contests for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills.
Jenkins played 17 games, starting three of them, for the Cleveland Browns last season. He has started 92 contests and played 139 NFL games in nine campaigns.
Steelers Release Safety Darnell Savage
GettyHead coach Mike McCarthy and the Pittsburgh Steelers released safety Darnell Savage on Sunday.
The Steelers possess a top-heavy group at safety. Entering training camp, the team’s roster featured veterans Savage, DeShon Elliott, and Jaquan Brisker. But behind them, the Steelers had only first or second-year players in Sebastian Castro, Jack Henderson and Robert Spears-Jennings.
Initially, it appeared Saturday the Steelers were signing Jenkins to add more experience in the back end of the secondary. Jenkins will do that, but his arrival will come at the expense of another veteran in Savage.
Savage didn’t have much of an opportunity to show the Steelers what he could provide this season. He didn’t officially sign with the team until June 2, so he missed most of the team’s spring workouts.
Savage joined the Steelers on a 1-year contract worth roughly $1.5 million. Most of that money was part of his base salary.
The Steelers accepted a $187,500 dead cap hit with his release.
In seven NFL seasons, Savage has posted 371 combined tackles, including 11 for loss, 41 pass defenses, 10 interceptions and one sack. His best statistical season was with the Green Bay Packers in 2020 when he had 75 combined tackles, 12 pass defenses and four interceptions.
Savage played five seasons for the Packers from 2019-23. Including the Steelers, he’s experienced stints with four other teams since then.
Steelers Announce Bringing in Safety Rayshawn Jenkins
GettyThe Pittsburgh Steelers announced Sunday they released veteran safety Darnell Savage to sign Rayshawn Jenkins.
With Jenkins instead of Savage, the Steelers added an older but more experienced safety. Jenkins has also played more special teams in his career.
Last season alone, Jenkins lined up for 236 snaps on special teams. He also had at least 270 snaps on special teams in each of his first two NFL seasons in 2017 and 2018.
Savage hasn’t played 100 special teams snaps since 2019.
The Steelers have some intriguing young safeties on the roster. So, it might have been difficult for Savage to make Pittsburgh’s roster anyway.
For that matter, Jenkins might not be guaranteed to get a spot on the active roster for Week 1.
But with Elliott and Brisker expected to start, Jenkins could provide depth and play on special teams. That would also leave one other spot for a younger safety on the active roster.
Jenkins had 45 combined tackles with one pass defense and one interception with the Browns last season. He played 277 defensive snaps in addition to his 236 snaps on special teams.
Steelers Surprisingly Cut 7-Year Veteran Safety