Darnell Savage Bio
Darnell Henry Savage Jr. (born July 30, 1997) is an American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Over his career, Savage has also suited up for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Commanders, showcasing his skills and versatility on the field.
Early Life and Background
Darnell Henry Savage Jr. was born on July 30, 1997, in Newark, Delaware. He grew up in the surrounding region and attended Caravel Academy in nearby Bear, Delaware, where he developed into a multi-position standout on the gridiron.
As a high school player, Savage suffered a broken femur during the second game of his junior year, an injury that cut his season short. The following year, however, he returned at full strength and starred on both sides of the ball, playing running back and cornerback. He rushed for 1,298 yards and 13 touchdowns while also recording 54 tackles on defense, performances that helped him earn recognition as a 3-star recruit.
His senior season tape impressed college evaluators, and Savage committed to the University of Maryland to play college football. That decision launched his path toward a professional career in defensive back play.
Path to American Football
Savage joined the Maryland Terrapins and played at the college level from 2015 to 2018. During his four seasons in College Park, he emerged as one of the program’s most reliable defensive backs, finishing his career with 182 tackles, eight interceptions, one sack, and two touchdowns.
His steady progression earned him conference recognition, including Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors as a junior in 2017 and Second-Team All-Big Ten recognition as a senior in 2018. He then accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where NFL analysts ranked him among the top safety prospects in his class.
At the NFL Combine, Savage impressed scouts with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, reinforcing his profile as an athletic, coverage-savvy defender. Analysts described him as a compact, muscular hybrid defender with sticky cover skills, projecting him as a late first- or second-round selection.
Darnell Savage Career
Early Career (2019)
The Green Bay Packers selected Savage in the first round, 21st overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft. Concerned he would not last to the 30th pick, Green Bay traded up with the Seattle Seahawks to acquire the selection, sending back a first-round pick (30th) and two fourth-round picks (114 and 118). Savage became the first safety and defensive back off the board that year.
On May 2, 2019, Savage signed a four-year, $12.51 million contract that was fully guaranteed and included an initial signing bonus of $7.12 million. He entered training camp as the de facto starting free safety under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, and head coach Matt LaFleur paired him with Adrian Amos as the starting safety tandem to open the regular season.
Green Bay Packers Era (2019–2023)
Savage made his professional regular season debut on September 5, 2019, in the Packers’ season-opener at the Chicago Bears, recording three solo tackles and a pass deflection in a 10–3 victory. Two weeks later, on September 22, 2019, he collected his first career interception off a pass by Joe Flacco during a 27–16 win over the Denver Broncos.
Despite a high ankle sprain that forced him to miss two games midseason, Savage finished his rookie year with 50 combined tackles, five pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions in 14 starts. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and started in the Packers’ Divisional Round win over Seattle and the NFC Championship Game loss at San Francisco.
In 2020, Savage set a career-high with four interceptions, highlighted by two picks off Mitchell Trubisky in a 41–25 Sunday Night Football win over Chicago on November 29, 2020, and another off Ryan Tannehill in a 40–14 victory over Tennessee. He closed the year with 75 combined tackles, 12 pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and one sack in 15 starts.
Savage started all 17 games in 2021, recording 63 combined tackles, nine pass deflections, and two interceptions while continuing to anchor the back end of the Green Bay defense. On April 29, 2022, the Packers picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.
After a benching and a foot injury in 2022, Savage capped that season with a memorable moment on January 1, 2023, intercepting Kirk Cousins and returning it 75 yards for his first career touchdown in a 41–17 rout of the Minnesota Vikings. In 2023, he started ten games and recorded 51 combined tackles before contributing four tackles, a pass deflection, and a 64-yard pick-six off Dak Prescott in the NFC Wildcard victory over Dallas, his final appearance as a Packer.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2024)
On March 11, 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Savage to a three-year, $21.75 million contract that included $12.5 million guaranteed and a $5 million signing bonus. Head coach Doug Pederson named him and Andre Cisco the starting safety tandem to open the season.
A quadriceps injury forced him to miss three consecutive games early in the year, but he rebounded to record his first interception as a Jaguar off Sam Darnold during a 12–7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on November 10, 2024. Savage finished the Jacksonville campaign with 51 combined tackles, six pass deflections, and an interception in 13 starts before being released on September 16, 2025.
Washington Commanders Era (2025)
On September 22, 2025, Savage signed with the Washington Commanders. In eight appearances for Washington, he recorded one pass deflection, one forced fumble, and 15 combined tackles. He was waived by the Commanders on December 4, 2025, at his own request to be released.
Buffalo Bills Era (2025–Present)
On December 6, 2025, the Buffalo Bills claimed Savage off waivers. He joined a Bills defensive backfield in the middle of the season, adding experience and versatility to the safety group as Buffalo continued its playoff push.
Driving Style and Strengths
Savage is recognized as a compact, muscular safety with sticky cover skills and the closing speed to challenge throws from centerfield to the hash. His 4.36-second 40-yard dash, combined with instincts and football IQ, allow him to thrive in two-high zone looks and slot-coverage matchups, and he has built productive partnerships with safeties such as Adrian Amos and Andre Cisco throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Signature moments include a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown against Kirk Cousins and the Vikings on January 1, 2023, and a 64-yard pick-six off Dak Prescott in the 2023 NFC Wildcard win over Dallas. He also earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2019 and Second-Team All-Big Ten recognition in 2018.
Darnell Savage Career Wins
Across his career with the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders, and Buffalo Bills, Darnell Savage has been a regular starter and contributor in the secondary. He has produced multiple interceptions in several seasons, posted his first career touchdown return in 2023, and helped the Packers earn playoff trips during his tenure.
Green Bay Packers Highlights
With Green Bay, Savage started in 14 games as a rookie in 2019 and added playoff starts in the Divisional Round win over Seattle and the NFC Championship Game loss at San Francisco. He set a career-high with four interceptions in 2020 and capped his Packers career with a pick-six off Dak Prescott in the 2023 NFC Wildcard Game.
Jacksonville Jaguars and Other Performances
In Jacksonville, Savage started 13 games in 2024 and recorded his first interception as a Jaguar during a late-season contest against Minnesota. Short stints with the Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills in 2025 added to his reputation as a versatile veteran safety.
Darnell Savage Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public biographical details about Darnell Savage Jr.’s parents and broader family background are limited.
Personal Life
Savage was born in Newark, Delaware, and has built his professional life around football. Further verified details about his spouse and children are not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
Savage opened 2025 with the Jacksonville Jaguars before being released on September 16, 2025, after offseason contract commitments. He quickly signed with the Washington Commanders on September 22, 2025, contributing 15 combined tackles, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection in eight appearances before requesting his release on December 4, 2025.
Just two days later, on December 6, 2025, the Buffalo Bills claimed Savage off waivers, inserting him into a contending secondary. His veteran experience and coverage skills gave Buffalo additional depth for the stretch run of the regular season.
Looking ahead, Savage is signed through the 2026 season under his Jacksonville contract terms and is positioned to compete for a meaningful role in the Bills’ defensive backfield. His 2025 journey, spanning three teams in a single year, underscores both his durability and the demand for experienced safety help across the league.