Packers Insider Breaks Down What Jaguars Are Getting in Darnell Savage

What are the Jaguars getting in their new starting safety?

The Jacksonville Jaguars moved quickly to replace Rayshawn Jenkins in free agency, signing former Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage to a three-year, $21.75 million deal with $12.5 million guaranteed. 

Savage, who played both safety roles as well as in the slot at times, appeared in 72 regular season games for the Packers, starting 69. He also started seven playoff games.

In five years with the Packers, Savage recorded 302 tackles, nine tackles for loss, one sack, 32 pass breakups, and nine interceptions.

In 2023, Savage appeared in 10 games for the Packers and recorded 51 tackles and five pass breakups.

But what exactly are the Jaguars getting in the 2019 first-rounder? To find out, we asked Green Bay Packers expert Justis Mosqueda of SB Nation's Acme Packing Company.

Q: Why didn't Savage re-sign with the Packers? Was there any interest?

Mosqueda: It seemed like they liked Savage, but the coaching staff change meant that they thought he was going to be a slot in their scheme moving forward. Savage was the team's starting safety, and they claimed that he was playing his best ball of his career last year. Some reports since the season claimed that he was thought of a slot for if they brought him back under Hafley, which meant that he would have been Keisean Nixon's backup in this defense. I think they just got priced out.

Q: What does Savage do best?

Mosqueda: His man coverage skills are why he was drafted in the first round. I still think that he moves well, but wasn't utilized in that way under DC Joe Barry, who played more of a zone match defense out of a two-high defense. He was originally drafted to play under Mike Pettine, who ran a more man-coverage style system. I think if he would have stayed in that system for multiple seasons, he would have panned out better.

Q: What are some of Savage's weaknesses? 

Mosqueda: He did not fit the run well, which was asked out of the two high safeties the Packers had. It didn't help him that he was probably the team's best safety over the last two years once Adrian Amos' legs quit on him and he left.

Q: Is Savage someone who the Packers will struggle to replace?

Mosqueda: They spent a lot of money on Xavier McKinney, but the other safety position is wide open right now. I think it's interesting that they evaluated him as a slot moving forward, but safety certainly isn't a strength of their team yet.