Steelers Safety Battle Just Got Real Before Preseason

In a strategic move to bolster their safety lineup, the Pittsburgh Steelers part ways with Darnell Savage and welcome seasoned player Rayshawn Jenkins to the team.

The Steelers have made another move in the back end of their defense, and this one comes at the expense of a veteran name.

Pittsburgh announced Sunday afternoon that safety Darnell Savage has been released, a transaction tied directly to the team’s official signing of Rayshawn Jenkins. Jenkins had already been reported as headed to the Steelers on Saturday, and now he’s in place as the latest addition to a safety group that has been taking shape throughout training camp.

Jenkins, 32, arrives after a season with the Cleveland Browns in which he started three games and played in all 17, working as both a rotational safety and a special teams contributor. The Steelers had already shown their interest in him - along with veteran safety Jordan Whitehead - during the first week of camp, a clear sign they were looking to add more depth at the position.

Savage’s exit had been looming. Though he came into the league as a former first-round pick in 2019, he managed just one start in 2025 while bouncing among three different teams. He was one of the more familiar names on the Steelers’ safety depth chart behind the starters, but beat writers had already noted that a roster spot was anything but secure.

With preseason games closing in, Jenkins now gets his shot to fight for a place on the 53-man roster. Pittsburgh’s current safety room includes DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, cornerback/safety Jalen Ramsey, Robert Spears-Jennings, Jack Henderson, Sebastian Castro, and Jenkins.

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