Free agent safety Jordan Whitehead is in search of a new team for the 2025-2026 season. The former fourth-round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has played for both the Buccaneers and New York Jets during his seven-year career. Last season, Whitehead was with the Buccaneers but had an underwhelming season. His problems started when he suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle in week 12, and was involved in a car accident before the season finale against the New Orleans Saints. The accident caused him to miss the remainder of the season. He was then released in February by Tampa Bay as a cap casualty.
Whitehead’s standout year came in 2023 while playing for the New York Jets, where he recorded four interceptions, nine passes defended, and 65 solo tackles. Additionally, he possesses experience, having won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2021. Known for his intensity and physical style of play, Jordan Whitehead’s top landing spots will include contenders in need of veteran help at safety.
Three Best Fits For Jordan Whitehead
Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers could very well be searching to add a safety after losing All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in a trade that sent him to the Miami Dolphins. Pittsburgh is quite thin behind DeShon Elliott and can use the depth. Whitehead fits the hard-nosed Steeler way of football and would fit right into the AFC North, which is a very physical division. On top of that, Whitehead played three years of college football at the University of Pittsburgh. Many Steelers fans are already familiar with him, making it a natural fit.
San Francisco 49ers- With a young safety group featuring Ji’Ayir Brown and second-year safety Malik Mustapha, there is room for a veteran presence. The 49ers also lost former safety Talanoa Hufanga to free agency. A physical, high motor safety leaves a hole that Whitehead could help fill. Whitehead plays a similar game to Hufanga with the toughness and physicality he provides, making him a logical fit to take over that role. He would also give the 49ers some needed experience and leadership at safety.
Philadelphia Eagles– The Eagles are a team that you cannot rule out of anything with aggressive General Manager Howie Roseman. The Eagles lost their hard-hitting safety, C.J. Garner Johnson, in a trade that sent him to the Houston Texans this offseason. At the safety position, the Eagles are fairly young with Sydney Brown and Reed Blankenship. The Eagles can use a veteran like Whitehead to add experience and physicality to a team that will be looking to go on another Super Bowl run.
Sneaky Value Option
Part of building a winning team is making sneaky good value options to fill out roster depth. While free agent safety Justin Simmons will draw plenty of attention, teams shouldn’t overlook Jordan Whitehead. He is still just 28, has starting experience on playoff caliber defenses, and brings physicality. In all likelihood, he will come at a fairly low price, around $3-5 million per year, making him easily affordable. For any contender that misses out on Simmons, Whitehead could end up being a sneaky good addition.
Main Photo: [Dale Zanine] – USA Today Sports
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