Darnell Savage Lands in Buffalo: A Fresh Opportunity for the Former Packers First-Rounder
As the Green Bay Packers gear up for a critical Week 14 matchup against the Chicago Bears-with linebacker Quay Walker set to return-the team’s focus is squarely on closing the regular season strong and building momentum for a playoff push. But while Green Bay looks ahead, one of its former first-round picks is hoping to turn the page on a rocky chapter of his career.
Safety Darnell Savage Jr., who once roamed the back end of the Packers' defense, has been claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills. The move, announced Friday, gives Savage a shot at contributing to a Bills team still very much in the playoff hunt.
A Secondary in Flux Opens the Door
Buffalo’s secondary has been hit hard by injuries and inconsistency. Earlier in the week, the Bills claimed veteran cornerback Darius Slay off waivers from Pittsburgh, but that move fizzled quickly-Slay opted not to report, citing family reasons and a reluctance to relocate. That left the Bills still searching for reinforcements on the back end.
Enter Savage, a player with starting experience and something to prove. The Bills are currently rolling with Cole Bishop and Jordan Poyer as their starting safeties, but depth has become a concern. With both Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp on injured reserve, Buffalo needed a reliable reserve, and Savage fits the bill.
He’s expected to step in immediately as a backup alongside Jordan Hancock, and depending on how things shake out, he could see meaningful snaps down the stretch.
A Career in Search of a Reboot
Since leaving Green Bay after the 2024 season, Savage has struggled to find his footing. He signed a three-year, $21.25 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but that stint never quite clicked.
The Jaguars moved on, and Savage latched on with the Washington Commanders in September-only to find himself buried on the depth chart. Frustrated by a lack of playing time, he requested his release.
Now, with Buffalo, he gets a fresh start-and potentially a real role-on a team that’s still in the thick of the playoff race. It’s a critical juncture for the 26-year-old safety, who brings with him a resume that includes 82 career starts, 369 total tackles, 40 pass deflections, and 10 interceptions over 95 games.
What Savage Brings to Buffalo
At his best, Savage is a rangy, instinctive safety who can cover ground and make plays on the ball. He’s shown flashes of that throughout his career, particularly during his early years in Green Bay. But consistency has been elusive, and injuries haven’t helped.
Still, the Bills aren’t asking him to be a star right away-they need a steady veteran presence who can step in if needed and help stabilize a thin unit. With playoff intensity ramping up and every snap carrying more weight, experience matters. And Savage, despite his recent struggles, has plenty of it.
A Window of Opportunity
The door opened for Savage when Slay opted not to join the team. Now it’s up to him to walk through it. The Bills’ playoff hopes are still alive, and if Savage can make an impression in practice-or capitalize on any game-time reps-he could play himself into a meaningful postseason role.
The past two seasons haven’t gone the way he-or anyone else-expected. But the NFL is all about the next opportunity, and Buffalo just handed Savage a new one. Whether he turns it into a comeback story remains to be seen, but the stage is set.
For a player looking to prove he still belongs, there are worse places to be than in the heart of a playoff race with a team that needs exactly what you bring.