Darnell Savage Adds Experience to Jacksonville Jaguars’ Secondary

As the Jacksonville Jaguars look to fix their defensive secondary’s big-play issues from the 2024 season, the addition of veteran safety Darnell Savage has emerged as a critical piece of the puzzle. The 28-year-old, entering his seventh NFL season, signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Jaguars in free agency after spending the first six years of his career with the Green Bay Packers. Savage brings a wealth of experience—96 career games, 72 starts, 11 interceptions, and 35 pass breakups—to a Jaguars secondary that was among the league’s youngest and most inconsistent last season. Darnell Savage Adds Experience to Jacksonville Jaguars’ Secondary isn’t just a free-agent signing; it’s a strategic move to inject leadership, reliability, and playoff-proven talent into a unit that needs all three to compete for an AFC South title. For the Jaguars, Savage’s arrival signals a commitment to turning their secondary from a liability into a strength—and for Savage, it’s a chance to revive his career in a system that fits his playstyle.

Darnell Savage Adds Experience to Jacksonville Jaguars’ Secondary first stands out because of Savage’s ability to stabilize the safety position, which was a revolving door for the Jaguars in 2024. Last season, the Jaguars used four different starting safeties due to injuries and inconsistent play, leading to miscommunications that resulted in 28 passes of 40+ yards allowed. Savage, by contrast, has been a model of durability: he’s missed just 10 games in six seasons, and he’s started at least 12 games in four of those years. His consistency isn’t limited to availability, either—he’s averaged 65 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, and 5 pass breakups per 16-game season. What makes Savage particularly valuable is his versatility: he’s equally comfortable playing free safety (where he can cover deep routes) and strong safety (where he can support the run and blitz the quarterback). During his time in Green Bay, he played both positions in defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s scheme, a flexibility that aligns perfectly with the Jaguars’ hybrid secondary looks under Mike Caldwell. “Darnell is the kind of player who makes everyone around him better,” Caldwell said during Savage’s introductory press conference. “He knows how to read quarterbacks, communicate coverages, and make plays when it counts. That’s the experience we were missing last season.”

A key reason Darnell Savage Adds Experience to Jacksonville Jaguars’ Secondary is so impactful is Savage’s track record against top-tier passing offenses—something the Jaguars struggled with in 2024. In his career, Savage has faced some of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, including Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Josh Allen, and he’s held his own: he’s recorded an interception against each of them, and he’s allowed a career opposing passer rating of just 82.3 (well below the league average of 93.6 for safeties). Last season, he had one of his strongest performances against the Detroit Lions’ high-powered offense, recording 8 tackles, 1 interception, and 2 pass breakups to help the Packers secure a 27-24 win. For the Jaguars, who allowed a passer rating of 101.2 against top-10 offenses in 2024, Savage’s ability to slow down elite quarterbacks is a game-changer. He’s also proven himself in the playoffs: in 5 career postseason games, he’s recorded 22 tackles, 1 interception, and 3 pass breakups, including a key fourth-quarter interception in the Packers’ 2020 NFC Championship Game win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This playoff experience is invaluable for a Jaguars team that hopes to make a deep postseason run in 2025.

Darnell Savage Adds Experience to Jacksonville Jaguars’ Secondary also highlights the Jacksonville Jaguars’ focus on mentoring their young secondary players, many of whom struggled with confidence and technique in 2024. The Jaguars’ secondary includes second-year cornerback Tyson Campbell (who allowed 4 deep touchdowns last season) and rookie safety Brian Branch (a third-round pick in 2025), both of whom stand to benefit greatly from Savage’s guidance. During offseason workouts, Savage has already taken Campbell and Branch under his wing, leading film study sessions to break down opposing wide receivers’ tendencies and practicing coverage drills to refine their technique. “Darnell doesn’t just talk—he shows us how to do it,” Campbell said in a recent interview. “He’ll point out little things on film, like how a receiver’s stance changes before a deep route, that I never noticed before. It’s like having a coach on the field.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ coaching staff has encouraged this mentorship, recognizing that veteran leadership can accelerate young players’ development far more than drills alone. For the Jaguars, Savage’s role as a mentor is just as important as his on-field play—especially as they look to build a secondary that can compete for years to come.

Darnell Savage Adds Experience to Jacksonville Jaguars’ Secondary further underscores the Jacksonville Jaguars’ commitment to balancing youth with experience in their roster construction. After drafting three rookies in the secondary in 2024, the Jaguars recognized that they needed a veteran presence to steady the unit. Savage’s signing comes after the Jaguars added another veteran, cornerback James Bradberry, in free agency—creating a mix of young talent (Campbell, Branch) and proven veterans (Savage, Bradberry) that’s ideal for a competitive team. General manager Trent Baalke explained the strategy: “You can’t win with just rookies or just veterans. You need a blend. The young guys bring energy and athleticism, and the veterans bring experience and leadership. That’s what we’re building here with the secondary.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ secondary now has a clear hierarchy: Savage and Bradberry as the leaders, Campbell and Branch as the up-and-coming stars, and role players like Andre Cisco providing depth. This structure not only improves on-field performance but also creates a positive locker room culture where young players feel supported and veterans feel valued.

The final takeaway from Darnell Savage Adds Experience to Jacksonville Jaguars’ Secondary is that Savage’s arrival is more than just a fix for last season’s issues—it’s a long-term investment in the Jaguars’ defensive identity. By adding a veteran who can play multiple positions, mentor young players, and perform in big games, the Jaguars have addressed their secondary’s most pressing needs while setting themselves up for success in 2025 and beyond. Early signs from OTAs are promising: the secondary has allowed just 1 deep completion in 12 practice sessions, and Savage has recorded 2 interceptions, including one off Trevor Lawrence in a recent scrimmage. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the goal is clear: to have a secondary that can stop big plays, communicate effectively, and support a defense that aims to rank among the NFL’s top 10. If Savage plays at the level he’s shown throughout his career, he’ll be a big reason the Jaguars achieve that goal. And for Savage, this opportunity in Jacksonville is a chance to prove that he’s still one of the league’s most reliable safeties—a player who can make a difference for a team with championship aspirations.