Another defensive back is leaving Buffalo.
Former Bills safety Darnell Savage agreed to a one-year, $1.3 million deal, with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency, according to multiple reports, It’s the veteran minimum for a player with seven or more credited NFL seasons. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero was the first to report the news.
Savage’s departure leaves Buffalo with just one true safety currently on its roster: starting free safety Cole Bishop.
The Bills’ secondary has thinned quickly over the past week. Cornerback Taron Johnson was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, cornerback Cam Lewis signed with the Chicago Bears in free agency and veterans Jordan Poyer and Damar Hamlin remain free agents. Special teamer Sam Franklin Jr. played six defensive snaps in 2025 and second-year defensive back Jordan Hancock can play multiple roles in the secondary.
Savage had a brief stint in Buffalo after the Bills claimed him off waivers from the Washington Commanders on Dec. 6. He appeared in two regular-season games and one playoff game.
The 28-year-old finished the 2025 season with 21 tackles and one forced fumble across stops with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders and Bills. Savage played a career-low 266 defensive snaps during the season.
Savage was thrust into action late in Buffalo’s divisional round playoff loss to the Denver Broncos after Cam Lewis exited the game. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix immediately targeted Savage for a 29-yard touchdown pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey with 22 seconds remaining in the first half. Savage played three defensive snaps in the game.
A former first-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2019, Savage has recorded 371 tackles, 10 interceptions, one sack and three forced fumbles across 97 career games.
