The Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary was their biggest concern in 2025, ranking 30th in the NFL with 261 passing yards allowed per game and 4,437 passing yards surrendered overall, per StatMuse. After failing to advance past the AFC Wild Card Round against the Houston Texans, the team began a major overhaul of its safety room. Veterans Kyle Dugger and Chuck Clark were released, signaling a reset in the backfield.

One of the offseason additions was Darnell Savage, the former 21st overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Savage agreed to terms in March 2026, but the deal wasn’t finalized until June 2 due to medical protocol concerns. He initially replaced DeShon Elliott, who is returning from a season-ending ACL injury, in first-team practice at training camp. However, Savage was absent from team drills by the weekend, with rookie Robert Spears-Jennings and former practice squad player Jack Henderson taking his place.

Exactly two months after signing, the Steelers announced Savage’s release to make room for veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who joins on a one-year deal.

Jenkins, entering his 10th NFL season, brings durability and experience. The former fourth-round pick played all 17 regular-season games for the Cleveland Browns last year, proving he can stay healthy and contribute consistently.

Savage’s release results in a $187,500 dead cap hit spread across 2026 and 2027, per Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com. His 2025 season was turbulent, featuring stints with three franchises. He featured two games with the Jacksonville Jaguars, eight with the Washington Commanders, and two with the Buffalo Bills.

Can Rayshawn Jenkins address the Steelers’ secondary depth concerns?

Jenkins has multiple 100+ tackle seasons to his name, a level of production matched by fellow offseason addition Jaquan Brisker in Pittsburgh’s current safety room. Yet Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox labeled the group the team’s biggest liability after allowing a 127.6 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks in 2025.

In contrast, Jenkins allowed a passer rating of only 64.0 to opposing QBs last season in a Browns defense that allowed a 90.0 passer rating as a whole team last season per StatMuse. He also has a lower career passer rating allowed (81.9) than both the Steelers’ projected starters, DeShon Elliott (111.2) and Jaquan Brisker (109.2), per Pro Football Reference.

Durability further sets Jenkins apart. Elliott has missed 11 or more games in three of his seven seasons, while Jenkins has only once missed more than three games in his nine-year career.

Beyond Elliott and Brisker, the Steelers’ safety depth is thin, with rookies filling most backup spots. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who played safety last season, could be asked to do so again under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. With Elliott working back from ACL surgery, Jenkins offers both stability and an upgrade in the secondary.