What To Do With Jordan Whitehead?
February 15th, 2025
Job security.
At times last year, Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead played solid ball.
However, that was not the norm. And “this Joe” noticed a few too many loafs for his liking.
That was when Whitehead was on the field. To his credit, after he blew out a pec against the Giants, most players would have gone on injured reserve. Instead, Whitehead gutted it out and returned. Joe was impressed.
Joe has maintained that Whitehead, who the Bucs were eager and excited to get back last year, was not the Whitehead they thought they re-signed.
Joe expected Whitehead to be more like the player he was in 2020 when the Bucs won the Super Bowl. Instead, he looked more like a player that a bad team (the Jets) gave up on.
Yes, Joe thinks the Bucs have buyer’s remorse.
Of all the Bucs ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler thinks could be vulnerable to being a cap casualty, Fowler only mentioned Whitehead. In typing a story on rosters of teams that could contend for a Super Bowl next season, Fowler — who has his ear to the ground as well as any NFL stenographer — only mentioned Whitehead as a possible cap casualty.
Tampa Bay can save $4.5 million against the cap by releasing safety Jordan Whitehead.
Did Whitehead just need a year to get back in the groove with the Bucs and Todd Bowles’ defense? If Whitehead goes, who takes his place? Tykee Smith? Christian Izien?
Or, with Whitehead is it “I will tolerate you until I can replace you,” as former Bucs coach Raheem Morris used to say.
It’s not like Whitehead is breaking the bank. But if the Bucs need extra Team Glazer loot to get Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson or Maxx Crosby, well, then either Whitehead takes a pay cut or bye-bye Whitehead.
February 15th, 2025 at 11:10 am
Cut him (maybe an injury settlement?) – subpar play and now he has a neck injury – that’s bad mojo for a safety who used to be physical
Appreciate the Super Bowl run and he’s a champion but there should be healthier options come available
It was worth the shot though – just wasn’t the same
February 15th, 2025 at 11:20 am
Wasnt there talk of Tykee moving from Nickel to safety? If so I would think we’re moving on. Could pick up Chavarius Ward, though I’m not sure of his experience outside of CB
February 15th, 2025 at 11:27 am
Expecting, here, that he will be out of football permanently, as a player. Joe, you might consider getting an opinion from an orthopedic Dr, but in my experience he’s not going to be able to sustain violent contact after suffering what was reported as being a cervical fracture.
February 15th, 2025 at 11:28 am
He got hurt early in the season. I think the first Atlanta game he left with a hamstring injury. Was never the same since. He looked great in the games before that, especially the Lions game.
February 15th, 2025 at 11:30 am
COACH HIM.
February 15th, 2025 at 11:31 am
Ward probably is one of top available FA corners available.
February 15th, 2025 at 11:35 am
Keep Whitehead. He knows the system. He hasn’t forgotten how to play football. He had a down year. Draft his eventual replacement in April.
February 15th, 2025 at 11:50 am
John Sinclair
I fear your point is the most accurate. I think Whitehead is willing but as you correctly point out his body is not and perhaps shouldn’t even be asked to at this point. I simply wish him good health going forward with the rest of his life.
February 15th, 2025 at 12:45 pm
Jordan Whitehead’s 2024 performance makes absolutely no sense to me. Back in 2018-2021 with us, Jordan was a thumper. Todd used him up near the box quite a bit, and blitzed him a bunch (yet only 2 sacks & 14 pressures in the 4 years for 130 blitzes).
But when he went to the Jets (2022-2023), they used him quite differently, and he excelled.
o 2022 (17 games): 2 INT – 42 Targets – 23 Completions – 54.8% – 8 PDs – 3 TD Allowed – 89 tackles (8.2% Missed Tackle Rate) – 1130 def snaps
o 2023 (17 games): 4 INT – 38 Targets – 21 Completions – 55.3% – 9 PDs – 7 TD Allowed – 97 tackles (14.2% Missed Tackle Rate) – 1078 def snaps
Looks like Jordan had excellent stats both years in terms of pass defense, but that he gave up too many TDs and his Missed Tackle Rate was too high. Jets Pass Defense BTW was ranked #3 in 2022 and #2 in 2023.
Then eveything went cattywhompus for him in 2024 when he returned to the Bucs.
o 2024 (12 games): 0 INT – 34 Targets – 23 Completions – 67.6% – 3 PDs – 3 TD Allowed – 79 tackles (3.7% Missed Tackle Rate) – 732 def snaps
His availability was down a bunch last season, and his performance on the field wasn’t close to what most expected. Then he was involved in a bad auto accident in early Jan, and is now on the NFI list as he recovers from those injuries. Whitehead’s a lot more capable than what he showed in 2024, but part of that is very likely how he was being used. Personally I’d keep him for 1 more year becasuse we’ve got a thousand other things to fix on defense that should be higher priorities.
February 15th, 2025 at 1:05 pm
This guy has to go and he needs to take Dean with him. Some castoffs from other teams are bound to be better if Licht can’t find replacements via draft.
To play defense in the NFL you have to be willing to tackle. Neither Dean or Whitehead showed any ability to do so.
February 15th, 2025 at 1:50 pm
Gipper… Whitehead will tackle. I hope some of these comments are right about him just being injured too much last season and getting hesitant out there.
He was one of our best players week 2 vs the Lions. Wasn’t shy of contact in that one.
Dean on the other hand haha, he is avoiding contact like the plague. He got himself injured trying to avoid a hard hit. Can’t remember the game but the image is still in my mind of Dean stopping and essentially falling backwards on his own as the WR runs into him. Tweaked his leg smh.
February 15th, 2025 at 2:08 pm
I would keep him. Not saving much by cutting him. Dean needs cut and so does KJ who can’t cover anyone.
February 15th, 2025 at 2:13 pm
Tough call on Whitehead….
Everyone was excited about his return to Tampa Bay.
But by season’s end – everyone was disappointed in the results of said ‘return’….
Buyer’s remorse as Joe is calling it was/is the prevailing feeling for basically all of Buc Nation….
The temptation would normally be to chalk it up to a ‘bad year’ and bring him back for the $4.5M – as finding a fit and skillset (like we’ve all seen Whitehead display here in the past) from a 27 y.o. for that amount of $ in FA is likely tough.
But the ‘broken neck’ thing certainly throws a turd in the punch bowl of that type of optimistic thinking I’d guess…
Winfield Jr had a VERY ‘bad year’ in 2024 as well – but just about everyone expects Winfield (assuming he is healthy) to be back displaying his All Pro level of play in 2025.
With Whitehead though – its hard to know what to expect at this point….
Like I said – tough call.
Unlike at CB – the Bucs have decent depth already at Safety – with Smith, Izien and Merriweather all having shown they are capable or better NFL players who will step up and make plays when called upon.
February 15th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
Sasbucks,
You could be right about Whitehead. The secondary and LB’s, other than LVD, were so bad last year that it is easier just to write the whole group off. Again, I am in Joe’s camp that with some EDGE pressure the secondary and LB’s look better. Not going to find high end EDGE at 19. Licht is going to have to make a dramatic Brady like move to get a premier EDGE. One thing about Garrett is that he is an incredible athlete in absolute perfect condition. Might be good for Vea to learn from Garrett how it is done.
February 15th, 2025 at 3:23 pm
My eyes suggested Whitehead was not strong last year. Tykee smith and Christian Izien played better IMO. They were less money and played better. It makes him a possible cap casualty.
February 15th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
There’s always Chris Conte Ryan Neal & Sabby Piscitelli who we could start at S if Whitehead goes.👍
February 15th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
Gipper Says:
“Not going to find high end EDGE at 19”
Rams selected Jared Verse at #19 in 2024…
Bucs selected Calijah Kancey at #19 in 2023….
Don’t tell me we can’t get a good pass rusher at #19 this year….
And IMO, acting like Chris Braswell is doomed to bustdom is a silly assumption.
The Bucs will find a pass rush WITHOUT giving away the farm in traded draft picks or paying some so-called can’t miss stud veteran $30M per year….
Watch it happen…
Licht “fixed” the Oline that was among the league’s worst just 2 years prior into a dominating force that is ‘suddenly’ top 5 in the league. He can now turn his full attention to the other side of the ball and I guarantee you that few GMs in this league understand better than Jason, the guiding football premise – “it all starts up front”….
The job, in fact – is mostly done from a procurement standpoint. Licht added Kancey and Diaby 2 years ago – and Braswell last year to the already stellar foundational piece in Vita Vea. One more high end young draftee for the edge and the table will be set for this young, talented group of pass rushers to eat and eat well…..
February 15th, 2025 at 3:51 pm
@Pickgrin
I was never a huge fan of Braswell from the beginning but yeah I wouldn’t label him a bust now. I would’ve passed on drafting him though.
February 15th, 2025 at 4:19 pm
Izein and Smith are both better.
I was saying when they signed him, glad to have him back, but let’s not get crazy because he’s always been average in coverage, good coming up against the run though
February 15th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
I’m sure they could probably throw him in as part of a trade if they were to trade for Crosby. Could throw him Dean Rachaad & a couple picks over to the Raiders for Crosby. Rachaad is gonna be the odd one out probably & both him & Dean would be going into the last year of their contracts anyway & just put Tucker back there with Bucky. They’ve still got DJ Williams there, too! Might as well try & get something in return for both & them & if Crosby does go that would make sense, too! Raiders could use another RB & they could use another CB, too! Let somebody else deal with his drama.
February 15th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
Spot on, Aqualung. Get him healthy, show him film of his alleged loafing, and get him inspired.
February 15th, 2025 at 5:13 pm
I don’t think you can pay a guy that fractured his vertebrae in a non football injury. His contract isn’t guaranteed and there’s a risk he doesn’t play or he reinjures his neck. It’s business unfortunately. You cut him.
February 15th, 2025 at 5:24 pm
We are officially the dumbest fan base. You guys want to keep a guy with a broken neck and pay him almost $5M. You want to keep our worst offensive lineman in Bredeson and Hainsey. The same people that realize we need to get rid of JTS but don’t want to get rid of the JTS of the offensive line and the worst player in the safety room. How do you expect to improve and get better players if you don’t get rid of the guys who are playing poorly? If you don’t sign Hainsey, Bredison, and cut Whitehead, you have $15M to get an actual good player. You can get replacement level players on minimum deals.
February 15th, 2025 at 5:37 pm
He was injured early on before the pecking injury. With our injury history in the secondary, keep him as a backup. We are one injury away from away from having a Ryan Neal type of player starting.
February 15th, 2025 at 6:14 pm
He was in a BAD car accident. You can’t coach him back from being hurt – and JPP he is not – 4.5m is a lot to work with – it’s how you originally signed Baker
February 15th, 2025 at 6:27 pm
Winfield had a terrible season and is the highest paid DB in the league. Point is everyone has a bad season here and there. Doubt they have buyers remorse. With how complex Bowles defense is prob takes time to come back in a get in a groove. If they keep him and next season he doesn’t improve then yea punt him but 1 solid season doesn’t mean he’s not worth keeping. If you want buyers remorse talk the Bucs have more of that for Winfield then whitehead. You don’t think there disappointed in him too especially after that massive contract. Least whitehead is cheap lol Bucs staff and fans are disappointed in the whole pass defense maybe outside of Zyon and smith and maybe izen but man those guys missed several games with injuries not talking about Zyon. Dude was solid and durable all year
February 15th, 2025 at 9:08 pm
Speaking about DEFENSE, just noticed something very interesting about the 2024 season.
o 15 teams had a POSITIVE TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL for 2024. 14 of those 15 teams had winning records. Only the Chicago Bears had a losing record (5-12).
o 17 teams had a NEGATIVE TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL for 2024. 15 of those 17 teams had losing records. Only the Seattle Seahawks (10-7) and (tada) the Tampa Bay Bucanneers (10-7) had winning records.
So if I were a betting man, I’d say that there’s a pretty decent correlation between Turnover Differential and W/L records. Not 100%, but close enough to where I’d make money.
Bucs had the most giveaways this past season (23) that they’ve had since 2019 (the year Jameis went wild feeding opposing teams with 30 INTs & when we had 41 giveaways total). 2019 was also our worst defensive ranking (#29) since Todd Bowles arrived. 2024 was our second worst (#16 ranking).
Giveaways very often hurt the defense (Pick-6s obviously being the most detrimental since the defense gets charged with the 6 or 7 points and isn’t even on the field). But other giveaways also often hurt the defense due to the short fields that result, minimal rest times, etc. Hopefully this season the Bucs have fewer giveaways (less than 23) and more takeaways (more than 18). Movement in both directions should bode well for a successful 2025 season.
February 15th, 2025 at 9:44 pm
Throw him into the bargain for Garrett. 1st next years third and whitehead. It’s not a horrible deal
February 15th, 2025 at 11:32 pm
draft Emmanwori. thats what you do
February 16th, 2025 at 1:01 am
Keep Whitehead over Dean every day of the week. Dean is glass, completely unreliable, and his coverage is average.
February 16th, 2025 at 2:33 am
I think both he and AWJ were dinged all year. Is he still hurt? We got lots of Safeties but few who can tackle like these two. Don’t get me started on the poor tackling of our secondary overall. Can he put a lick on the guy with the ball? If not…See ya
Dean looked slow with no twitch even when healthy to me. Find his replacement for half the salary Jason. His rookie year he looked like he was everywhere and had lots of quick twitch. Not so much these days.
Go Bucs!
February 16th, 2025 at 5:29 am
Injury settlement
February 16th, 2025 at 8:05 am
I think both Winfield and Whitehead played through injuries all year and their performance suffered badly. The neck injury is problematic and will probably force us to release him. We have to hope Winfield can recover and is not another Jensen style anchor around our neck salarywise.
February 16th, 2025 at 8:51 am
It is a copy cat League. Philly just won a Superbowl an with an Iowa Cornerback\$afety and special teams player. Draft another from Iowa in a mid round undervalued steal Sebastian Castro. He can also rep a local Cuban Sandwich place in advertisements.
February 16th, 2025 at 9:00 am
Sebastian Castro projects as a mid-round pick with the potential to be a high-level backup or rotational safety in the NFL. His strengths in run defense, versatility, and football IQ make him a valuable piece in defensive schemes that prioritize physicality and box play. While he will need to refine his coverage abilities, particularly in man-to-man situations, Castro has the tools to contribute on defense and special teams.
GRADE: 7.1 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)
OVERALL RANK: 93
2nd or 3rd round value steal. Similar to Dejean also from iowa. Great tackler.
February 16th, 2025 at 11:27 am
Just got a wild revelation. Never knew that holding en edge in the turnover battle correlated to winning! Kind of like, playing complementary football is good! The things you learn around here that no one ever knew before. Amazing.
February 16th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
Pickgrin,
OK not going to tell you that you can’t, just find it highly unlikely that you will find a Garrett talent at 19. Remember Garrett was 1 of 1 and he has played like a bona fide HOFer since coming into the league in 2017.
February 16th, 2025 at 7:53 pm
Why would we have to pay an injury settlement to a guy that didn’t get injured playing football? You would think that the people on JBF would know more about football.
February 17th, 2025 at 12:38 am
Let him walk he’s obviously not the same whitehead we seen in the sb run he had a decent game in Detroit this year but that was about it. Not much going on for him despite the injuries. We need to get younger and faster see if we can find another stud player for the future.