Pittsburgh Steelers sign S Darnell Savage

Pittsburgh's one-year, $1.49M signing of safety Darnell Savage earns a B- Contract Value Index (CVI), reflecting a low-risk, depth-oriented acquisition that shores up secondary versatility without straining cap resources during the offseason. The deal's minimal financial footprint—essentially replacement-level salary for a veteran depth piece—means the Steelers have minimal downside exposure; if Savage underperforms or gets injured, the cap hit is negligible and easy to absorb. For a team currently positioned as an AFC playoff team at 10-7 and seeking incremental roster improvements during the preseason window, this represents the kind of veteran-minimum investment that doesn't move the needle on championship odds but provides insurance against injury or depth deficiencies in the secondary. The value equation here isn't about uncovering a bargain or landing a star—it's about smart, low-commitment roster construction that reflects realistic offseason priorities. What matters most going forward is whether Savage can contribute in a reserve or rotational capacity; at this price point and contract length, even modest production justifies the expenditure, making this the type of move that rarely draws criticism even when results disappoint.