The Pittsburgh Steelers made a notable roster adjustment on Sunday, releasing veteran safety Darnell Savage in order to sign fellow experienced defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins to a one-year contract.
The moves were officially confirmed by the team in the afternoon, reflecting an effort to strengthen depth and experience in the secondary during the early stages of training camp.
Savage had been brought in during free agency this offseason as one of two veteran safeties added to the roster. His departure after only a short time with the club came as a surprise to some observers.
Steelers Depot writer Alex Kozora noted that while Savage had not participated in team periods over the previous two days, the decision to release him still registered as unexpected given the limited opportunity to evaluate him fully in camp.
The 28-year-old Savage arrived with a solid track record of reliability. Across seven NFL seasons, he has started 83 of the 97 games in which he has appeared.
His 2025 campaign saw him suit up for three different teams—the Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders, and Buffalo Bills—appearing in 12 contests overall. That mobility across rosters underscored both his availability and the demand for his services as a proven contributor in the defensive backfield.
Savage is most known for his five-year stint with the Green Bay Packers, who selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
In his place, the Steelers turned to Jenkins, a nine-year veteran who spent last season with the Cleveland Browns. Jenkins appeared in all 17 games for Cleveland, starting three of them.
Over the course of his career he has logged 139 total appearances and 92 starts, giving him a substantial body of work and familiarity with the physical, high-volume demands of the safety position. The one-year deal offers Pittsburgh a low-risk opportunity to add a player who has shown durability and the ability to step into starting roles when needed.
The timing of the swap suggests the coaching staff is prioritizing specific skill sets or scheme fits as the preseason progresses.
Training camp roster decisions often involve difficult choices between players with comparable résumés, and this exchange highlights the competitive nature of the Steelers’ secondary room. By bringing in Jenkins, the team gains another veteran presence who can compete for snaps and provide insurance against injuries deeper into the season.
Both players have demonstrated the capacity to contribute meaningfully over multiple years in the league. Whether Jenkins ultimately earns a larger role in Pittsburgh will depend on his performance in the remaining practices and preseason games.
For now, the organization has signaled a preference for his particular combination of experience and availability as it continues to shape the final 53-man roster.
