Jaguars signing Packers S Darnell Savage to 3-year deal

The Jaguars are turning to 2019 first-round pick Darnell Savage to take over for Rayshawn Jenkins in the secondary.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a deal in place to sign Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage to a three-year contract when he becomes a free agent Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The deal is set pay Savage $21 million over the three years with $12.5 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Savage, 26, was a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft and played the 2023 season on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. During his time in Green Bay, the safety recorded nine interceptions, one forced fumble, 32 passes defended, and nine tackles for loss. He also recorded a pick six in the Packers’ postseason win against the Dallas Cowboys.

His final season with the Packers was plagued by calf and shoulder injuries, which caused him to miss seven games.

While the Jaguars released Rayshawn Jenkins earlier in March to save more than $5.1 million in salary cap space, the decision to go after a safety in free agency is still a bit of a surprise. Fifth-round pick Antonio Johnson impressed as a rookie in 2023 and appeared in line to take over for Jenkins at strong safety with veteran Andrew Wingard providing quality depth.

Instead, the Jaguars may envision a nickel cornerback role for Johnson with Savage in the starting lineup.

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Former Packers S Darnell Savage will sign 3-year deal with Jaguars

Former Packers S Darnell Savage, a 2019 first-round pick, will sign a 3-year deal with the Jaguars.

Darnell Savage, a first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2019, is leaving Green Bay and will sign a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Savage was the 21st overall pick and the first defensive back selected in the 2019 draft. The Packers traded two fourth-round selections to move up from No. 30 and get him.

Savage went on to play five up and down seasons with the Packers. A member of the All-Rookie team in 2019, Savage broke out as a difference maker to end the 2020 season and looked like one of the NFL’s best young safeties entering 2021. But his impact never ascended and eventually plummeted under defensive coordinator Joe Barry.

Between 2021 and 2023, Savage intercepted only three passes and recorded 15 passes defensed. In 2020 alone, he had four picks and 12 passes defensed. Missed tackles and missed assignments became common, and Savage was eventually benched during the second half of the 2022 season.

The Packers will begin rebuilding the safety room. Savage will attempt to reignite his career in Jacksonville.

Combine buzz: Packers S Darnell Savage could get ‘nice deal’ in free agency

Which team will be willing to pay Packers free agent safety Darnell Savage a nice deal this offseason?

Some buzz coming out of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis: According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage is expected to get a “nice deal” in free agency. Fowler listed Savage among the NFL free agents that “should do pretty well” once the new league year starts.

“Enough teams will like his first-round traits to give him a chance on a nice deal after he spent the past five seasons in Green Bay,” Fowler wrote.

Savage, a first-round pick of the Packers in 2019, has an expiring contract. He played in 10 games and defended just one pass during the regular season in 2023, but he did have an interception return for a touchdown in the Packers’ playoff win in Dallas.

After a breakout 2020 season, Savage has struggled to be a difference maker in recent years and was even benched in 2022. Pro Football Focus ranks Savage as the 145th overall free agent and the 13th best safety, so it’s difficult to quantify what a “nice deal” would look like for him in free agency.

Savage’s rep, Seth Katz, told ESPN’s Rob Demovsky that he expects “significant interest” in his client in free agency, but all agents say that about their own players. Another source told Demovsky that Savage could command between $5-7 million per year.

At that price point, the Packers would almost certainly allow another team to pay Savage and then start a full rebuild of the safety position. Rudy Ford and Jonathan Owens are also free agents this offseason.

Because of the void years added to Savage’s fifth-year option last year, he will still count $5.4 million as dead money on the Packers’ salary cap whether he remains in Green Bay or departs.

Savage’s 2024 team — whether it’s the Packers or a different club — must decide if he’s a better fit as a free safety or slot corner. Jeff Hafley’s new defense is expecting the safety and slot cornerback position to be interchangeable. Savage had excellent moments as a slot corner at Maryland but hasn’t been as successful there at the NFL level.

Packers could save over $5M on 2024 salary cap with pre-void extensions for Keisean Nixon and Darnell Savage

Darnell Savage and Keisean Nixon both have voiding contracts with dead cap hits coming. Extending their contracts in February could save the Packers money in 2024, however.

The harsh reality of void years: Even if soon-to-be free agents Darnell Savage and Keisean Nixon sign elsewhere this offseason, the Green Bay Packers will still count roughly $7 million on the 2024 salary cap for the two players due to accelerated bonus money on voided contracts.

There is an out for the team, however. The Packers can extend the contracts of Savage or Nixon or both and actually save money on the salary cap in 2024. Per Over the Cap, the combined possible savings from extending Savage and Nixon before their contracts void is roughly $5 million, making early extensions a realistic possibility if the Packers want to keep both players for 2024.

Savage dealt with a few injuries but otherwise enjoyed a bounce back season in 2023. With Rudy Ford and Jonathan Owens both headed to free agency, the Packers will likely need to pick at least one veteran safety to return — and Savage, a 2019 first-round pick, is an option.

The Packers tacked on four void years to Savage’s fifth-year option to lower his cap hit in 2023. The bill will come due in the form of a dead cap hit if his deal voids in February, but an extension would stop the acceleration and create upwards of $4 million in savings in 2024.

Nixon started every game in the slot and was an All-Pro kickoff returner for the second straight year. It’s unclear how the Packers view him as a long-term option in the slot — and the next defensive coordinator might want an upgrade — but Nixon is a dynamic returner who could be an excellent dime corner.

Nixon returned to Green Bay on a one-year deal in 2023 that included four void years. His deal voids Feb. 19, per OTC. When it does, nearly $1.5 million will accelerate onto the Packers’ 2024 salary cap. Like Savage, an extension before the void stops the acceleration.

The other extension candidate is offensive tackle Yosh Nijman, who returned on a restricted tender that included void years in 2023. Considering he was nothing more than a swing tackle this past season, Nijman and the Packers may decide to part ways. Green Bay has roughly $1.9 million in potential savings in an extension for Nijman. This turns into a dead cap hit if Nijman’s deal voids.

It’s worth noting that the Packers have never gotten a pre-void extension done despite adding void years to numerous contracts over the past few seasons. The team did bring back linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and tight end Robert Tonyan after their deals voided but missed out on the potential savings of extending the deal before the void.

Recent return of Packers S Darnell Savage shores up communication on back end

The recent return of S Darnell Savage has provided a communication and performance boost for the Packers secondary.

Darnell Savage’s return to the Green Bay Packers secondary in recent weeks has helped provide some needed stability, specifically with the pre-snap communication component.

“He (Savage) does a hell of a job communicating with the back end,” said Matt LaFleur early in the season, “making sure everyone is on the same page.”

Following the Packers’ Week 15 loss to Tampa Bay, where Baker Mayfield picked apart the Green Bay pass defense, recording a perfect passer rating, the focus was around the pre-snap communication – or the lack thereof – on the defensive side of the ball.

“When you’re having basic communication problems,” said LaFleur after the Bucs’ game, “and you’re supposed to be in a certain coverage or certain rotation, and we’re not getting that communication, that’s what’s disappointing to me.

“The fact that it was poor communication. It always starts with us. It starts with myself, and it goes to all of our assistant coaches.”

However, over the last three games for the Packers’ defense, the communication seems to be much improved. Defenders are in a position to make plays on the ball. Blown assignments have been significantly reduced, and overall, this looks like a much more cohesive unit that is playing together.

That three-game stretch also coincides with Savage’s return from injury. Before the ball is even snapped, Savage’s role consists of communicating with the back end of the defense to ensure everyone is on the same page, coverage responsibilities are known, along with making checks, based on what look the offense is giving.

“I would say that’s one of his strengths,” said LaFleur. “His ability to communicate. I don’t care what sport you’re playing, if you don’t have everybody, especially in our game where there is 11 men on the field, you need 11 playing as one.

“If you don’t, it’s hard to play effective defense, or offense, or special teams, whatever it may be. Communication is a big part of it and he does a great job of it.”

Along with the communication element, Savage has been impactful during the play as well. According to PFF, Savage has been in on eight tackles, he’s allowed three receptions but held the pass catchers to just 16 total yards, and came away with a pick-six in Dallas.

For what it’s worth, Savage was also the Packers’ highest-graded defender in the wildcard game as well.

Of course, having said all of that, Savage’s return isn’t the lone factor for the improved play in the secondary. Jaire Alexander has been playing at a high level. We’ve also seen some schematic changes, which include more blitzing and the disguising of coverages–not to mention that when the pass rush is finding success, the entire defense benefits.

However, it’s also not a coincidence that the secondary has started to look more buttoned up at the same time Savage returned. His presence and what he provides before the ball is even snapped from a communication aspect, along with the leadership he brings, was a missing element.

“He’s really matured, as a football player and as a man,” said LaFleur. “His leadership has really shown through this year. I think he is one of the main leaders, especially in the DB room, but also on our football team. He’s had a great attitude all through the course of the offseason and into this year.”

Darnell Savage 64-yard pick-six gives Packers shocking 27-0 lead over Cowboys

The Packers were up four scores on the Cowboys late in the first half

This would be the definition of shocking.

The Green Bay Packers held a 27-0 lead over the Dallas Cowboys with less than two minutes to go in the first half on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.

Darnell Savage picked Dak Prescott — the second one of the game the Cowboys QB threw — and returned it 64 yards for a touchdown.

That score came 93 seconds after Dontayvion Wicks caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Love.

After that score, the only thing in the first half that went wrong for Green Bay happened when Anders Carlson missed the PAT.

Packers rule out LB De’Vondre Campbell, S Darnell Savage vs. Panthers

The Green Bay Packers will be without starting inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and starting safety Darnell Savage for Sunday’s Week 16 showdown with the Carolina Panthers.

The Green Bay Packers will be without starting inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and starting safety Darnell Savage for Sunday’s Week 16 showdown with the Carolina Panthers. Both veterans were ruled out Friday by coach Matt LaFleur.

Campbell is dealing with a lingering neck injury. After a rough performance last Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Campbell said he is no longer willing to play through a debilitating injury in a social media post made this week. The Packers held him out of practices on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week. Isaiah McDuffie is the expected starter next to Quay Walker for Sunday in Carolina.

Savage will miss a second straight game and his seventh in the last nine games. He injured his shoulder during the Packers’ Week 13 loss to the New York Giants. Previously, a calf injury landed Savage on injured reserve, where he missed five games (Weeks 8-12). Rudy Ford and Jonathan Owens will have to hold down the fort at safety, with rookie Anthony Johnson Jr. as a top backup.

Green Bay’s defense is attempting to bounce back from back-to-back disappointing performances. The Packers will face No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, who has thrown nine touchdown passes and nine interceptions in 14 games. Communication was a big issue against the Bucs, and the Packers will be without leaders at linebacker and safety.

The Packers are also listing receiver Christian Watson as doubtful to play. The team hasn’t had a player listed as doubtful to play all season, so Watson will be expected to miss a third consecutive game.

Tight end Luke Musgrave, who was designated for return from injured reserve, was also ruled out. He isn’t on the 53-man roster until he’s activated from injured reserve. Tucker Kraft, who has 13 catches and a pair of scores in the last four games, will handle the majority of reps at tight end vs. the Panthers.

Running back Emanuel Wilson and offensive tackle Luke Tenuta, who — like Musgrave — were designated for return from injured reserve this week, are also doubtful.

Seven players, including cornerback Jaire Alexander and running back A.J. Dillon, are questionable to play.

Packers Wire will have more on the final injury report in our final breakdown Friday.

Packers activate S Darnell Savage from IR to 53-man roster ahead of showdown with Chiefs

The Packers will return veteran safety Darnell Savage for Sunday’s showdown with the Chiefs. He was activated from injured reserve on Saturday.

The Green Bay Packers activated safety Darnell Savage from injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s primetime showdown with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Savage was designated for return on Nov. 20. He practiced with the team over the last two weeks, including three practices of full participation this week. The Packers listed him as questionable to play in Week 13 but Savage’s activation to the roster on Saturday strongly suggests he’ll make his return against the Chiefs.

Savage missed five games after aggravating a calf injury against the Denver Broncos on Oct 22.

During the first six weeks, Savage started every game and played 83 percent of the defense’s snaps. He is a preferred starter at safety along with Rudy Ford, who is also questionable to play but should return against the Chiefs.

Savage provides a veteran with elite speed to help the Packers pass defense combat Mahomes and the Chiefs on Sunday night. The backups at safety are Jonathan Owens and rookie Anthony Johnson Jr.

In 2023, Savage has 34 tackles and one tackle for loss. He has yet to defend or intercept a pass.

In related news, cornerback Eric Stokes was not activated and remains on injured reserve. He was listed as doubtful to play against the Chiefs. The Packers designated Stokes for return on Monday, so he still has two more weeks before the team has to make a decision on his roster status.

Packers hopeful S Darnell Savage can return vs. Chiefs

The Packers are hopeful that starting safety Darnell Savage can return on Sunday night against the Chiefs.

With Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs next up on the schedule, the Green Bay Packers are hopeful that their secondary will get a little healthier this week with the return of starting safety Darnell Savage.

“Potentially,” said Matt LaFleur on Monday when asked about Savage being activated off IR. “That’s the goal. That’s the hope. But we were hopeful that he potentially was going to be back last week and he wasn’t. So we will take it in stride and go through the week and see where he’s at.”

During the Packers Week 6 matchup with Denver, Savage aggravated a calf injury that ultimately landed him on IR. He was designated to return and rejoined the Packers at practice last week, opening up a three-week window for him to be added back onto the 53-man roster.

After being benched for a portion of the 2022 season, we’ve seen a much-improved version of Savage in 2023, specifically with his aggressiveness and willingness to fly around the field to make plays, especially closer to the line of scrimmage and helping out in the run game.

Out of 88 eligible safeties this season, Savage ranks 28th in PFF’s run defense grade and 30th in run-stop rate. He’s also helped limit big plays on the back end, allowing just over 10 yards per catch when in coverage. However, missed tackles have still been an issue at times.

In addition to his play on the field this season, as the now veteran in the safety room, Savage has grown into a leadership role within the defensive backs room, and despite being on IR, remained fully engaged with his teammates over the last month.

”I think he has gone above and beyond,” said LaFleur of Savage’s involvement when on IR. “He’s really matured, as a football player and as a man. His leadership has really shown through this year. I think he is one of the main leaders, especially in the DB room, but also on our football team. He’s had a great attitude all through the course of the offseason and into this year. It would certainly be nice to get him back.”

Without Savage and with Rudy Ford having missed the last few games with an injury of his own, the Packers have had to rely on seventh-round rookie Anthony Johnson and Jonathan Owens at the safety position. Owens is coming off an impressive performance against Detroit, where he made several tackles near the line of scrimmage, while Johnson has adjusted relatively well to the full-time role, and there are very few who fly downhill quite like he does.

Once Savage returns, as well as Ford, my guess is that both players will resume their roles as the starting safeties. However, the recent play of Owens and Johnson does not make that decision as easy as once thought. What I would like to see happen is for both Owens and Johnson to be given specific roles depending upon the situation. When Green Bay is in dime for those 7-to-10 snaps per game, give Johnson those snaps as the third safety. When it’s an obvious running or short-yardage situation, giving Owens some of those snaps would be a great use of his skill set. Now, whether or not that happens remains to be seen.

”That’s always something you’ve got to take into consideration, and know that’s a competitive situation,” said LaFleur when asked about working starters back into the mix. “Obviously, you’re going to try to put the people out there that are going to help you win and give you the best chance at winning. Although what’s been great about this whole deal is we’ve had to play some younger guys or guys that haven’t gotten as much opportunity, and they’ve done a really nice job. So that always makes it more of a challenge when you’re making those decisions.”

Regardless of who the safeties are for Green Bay this week, they are going to face a difficult challenge going up against Kansas City. At any point, defenses have to be ready for Patrick Mahomes to try to push the ball downfield, but this is a Chiefs offense that has been really good at picking up yards after the catch on short area throws.

As safeties coach Ryan Downard often mentions, trusting your eyes and reading your keys to help diagnose and then properly react to what is taking place is going to be crucial to preventing the big play, whether that be over the top or limiting yards after the catch opportunities.

Packers to place S Darnell Savage (calf) on injured reserve

Darnell Savage is going on IR, per ESPN. The Packers safety will miss at least the next four games.

The Green Bay Packers will place safety Darnell Savage on injured reserve after he aggravated a calf injury on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.

Savage’s injury isn’t season-ending but going on injured reserve means the veteran safety must miss at least four games before he’s eligible to return. The Packers won’t have Savage for games against the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers.

Savage was originally injured during the Packers’ loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 9. He practiced in a limited capacity all three days last week coming out of the bye and started at safety against the Broncos, but he went down mid-play during the second quarter in Denver and didn’t return.

Savage has been on the field for 344 defensive snaps and 51 special teams snaps this season.

Without Savage, the Packers could start veteran Jonathan Owens or rookie Anthony Johnson Jr. at safety next to Rudy Ford for the next month. The team also has special teamer Dallin Leavitt and Zayne Anderson at safety.

Savage going on injured reserve will clear a roster spot for cornerback Corey Ballentine, who is being signed from the practice squad, per Bill Huber of SI.com.