Fifth-year option looming as another decision for Packers’ Darnell Savage
The Green Bay Packers still aren’t quite sure what they have in safety Darnell Savage.
Throughout his first three years, he’s flashed moments that have shown his potential–the ability to be one of the better safeties in the NFL. He’s flown to the ball, blown up the running game with aggressive tackling, and covered tons of grounds in order to pick off passes that hang up in the air too long.
He had a tremendous second half of the 2020 season where he, alongside Adrian Amos, dominated in the secondary. Many were hoping he would build off that momentum for 2021, but that never quite happened.
The Green Bay Packers must decide whether to execute the fifth-year option on safety Darnell Savage for the 2023 season.
By many accounts, Savage had his worst season as a pro in 2021. His PFF grade of 58.4 was the lowest of his career and ranked 73rd among the 94 eligible safeties.
He struggled the most in the passing game where he failed to cover tight ends and running backs he was often matched up against. According to PFF, he gave up 29 receptions on a 65.9 percent completion percentage for 395 yards and a whopping six touchdowns–all career-worsts.
He was never able to put it all together as he had in years past and now the Packers are getting closer to having to make a decision on his future with the team. Green Bay is already trying to figure out their salary cap for the 2022 season where they have to cut a ton of money.
However, they have other decisions to make such as whether to exercise Savage’s fifth-year option on his rookie deal for the 2023 season. Savage’s cap hit is $3.98 million in 2022, but that number would jump to $7.92 if they bring him back for a fifth year on that deal. That could be a tough pill to swallow considering Green Bay has to make the same decision on Rashan Gary which would cost them an additional $10.55 million.
The Packers can’t afford to continue losing talent, especially after the number of players they’re about to cut this offseason, but they have to figure out something different with Savage. A contract extension that lessens the cap hit and provides incentives for good play could be a win-win for both parties.
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It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the offseason. Even with all of the attention on Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay getting under the salary cap, every decision they make (or don’t make) will have an impact on their future as well.