Grading the signing: Steelers make late-night move that could be an under-the-radar addition for the defense come September
The Steelers signed an important depth piece late on Tuesday, and he could be a factor in 2026.
The Pittsburgh Steelers solved arguably their biggest defensive problem earlier this week when they signed cornerback Jamel Dean. Shoring up the CB No.2 spot opposite Joey Porter Jr. has been an issue for multiple seasons now, and Pittsburgh hopes to have finally found its answer.
However, just as one position was fixed, there are questions about the future of others. Most notably at linebacker with Patrick Queen being a hot button topic in trade talks. The other position many fans want to see addressed, however, is safety. Well, the Steelers did just that on Tuesday night, only it wasn’t a big splash, but a move for depth instead.
Steelers are signing Darnell Savage to one-year deal
At face value this may seem disappointing to Steelers fans. It’s not a Minkah Fitzpatrick reunion (who was traded to the Jets earlier in the week) or even a Jaquan Brisker or Kevin Byard signing. But unlike those three players, Savage isn’t going to be asked to start.
If you look at the Steelers safety group, that cupboard is bare. In fact, let’s assume that Jalen Ramsey is a full-time nickel/slot cb in 2026. Prior to the signing of Savage, the Steelers would not have had a single safety who was healthy and under contract for 2026.
Miles Killebrew, Chuck Clark, Kyler Dugger, and Jabrill Peppers are all free agents. DeShon Elliott got hurt in 2025 and didn’t return for the rest of the season. So signing a veteran to a one-year deal that will likely be worth the league minimum is fine in my opinion.
What are the Steelers getting from Darnell Savage after his time with the Commanders?
“The Commanders signed Darnell Savage after they lost starting safety Will Harris for the majority of the season in Week 3. Savage was thrown to the wolves, and it was a rough stretch over the toughest part of the schedule. The Commanders liked his versatility and played him in the box, deep at safety, and even in the slot at corner. He had his best game in Week 11 against the Dolphins, then surprisingly asked for his release, where he would end the season with the Bills.”
“Savage struggled in coverage at times and also missed some big tackles, but he’s still just 28 and could fit as a depth guy for the Steelers. Just don’t expect a quality starter, and the expectations should be rather low. The Commanders’ safety room was really bad, though, and I believe they would’ve kept him to finish the season if he didn’t ask for a release.” – Josh Taylor, A to Z Sports Washington
Final Grade: B
The last time we saw of Savage, he was playing for the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round against the Denver Broncos. Before that, he was with both the Washington Commanders and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025, and he also has ties to the Steelers’ staff.
New DB coach and defensive pass game coordinator Jason Simmons was with Savage in the same role when he was drafted to the Packers in 2019, and again as recently as last year with the Commanders. He will bring an experienced level of play and high aptitude to the back seven, leaving little reason to be skeptical about such a low-risk move in my opinion.