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Jordan Whitehead

Jordan Whitehead
refer to caption
Whitehead with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021
No. 3 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1997-03-18) March 18, 1997 (age 27)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:198 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High school:Central Valley
(Monaca, Pennsylvania)
College:Pittsburgh (2015–2017)
NFL draft:2018 / round: 4 / pick: 117
Career history
Roster status:Reserve/Non-Football Injury
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles:554
Sacks:2.5
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:2
Interceptions:11
Pass deflections:45
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jordan Tyler Whitehead (born March 18, 1997) is an American professional football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh.

Early life

Whitehead attended Central Valley High School in Monaca, Pennsylvania. In addition to playing football, he also ran track. He played on both sides of the ball for Central Valley and was a starter since his freshman year. As a senior, Whitehead caught 24 passes for 471 yards along with rushing for 1,933 yards on 148 attempts. He totaled 35 touchdowns along with tallying 97 tackles and seven interceptions.[1] Whitehead committed to play football for the Pittsburgh Panthers on October 3, 2014, choosing the Panthers over Penn State and West Virginia.[2]

College career

As a true freshman in 2015, Whitehead played in all 13 of Pittsburgh's games, starting in the last 12. Offensively, he carried the ball 12 times for 122 yards resulting in two touchdowns. On defense, he tallied 108 tackles, one interception, six pass deflections and one fumble recovery.[3] He was named the ACC's Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association[4] along with being named to USA Today's All-American Team, being named the ACC's Defensive Rookie of the Year, and being named to the ACC's All-Conference Third-team.[5]

In 2016, Whitehead played in Pitt's first nine games before missing their last three due to injury.[6] In nine games, Whitehead compiled 65 tackles, one interception returned 59 yards for a touchdown, two pass deflections and a forced fumble along with rushing for 98 yards on nine attempts. He was awarded a second-team all ACC spot, even though he did not play all 12 games.[7]

As a junior in 2017, Whitehead missed Pitt's first three games,[8] but played in the last nine. Defensively, he tallied 60 tackles, four pass deflections, and one interception. On offense, he ran the ball 22 times for 142 yards and caught two passes for seven yards.[9] After the season, Whitehead declared for the 2018 NFL draft, forgoing his senior year.[10]

Professional career

External videos
video icon Jordan Whitehead's NFL Combine Workout
video icon NFL Draft Profile: Jordan Whitehead
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+3⁄8 in
(1.79 m) 		198 lb
(90 kg) 		29+3⁄4 in
(0.76 m) 		8+1⁄2 in
(0.22 m)		 4.59 s 1.61 s 2.66 s 4.31 s 7.16 s 34 in
(0.86 m)		 10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		 21 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pittsburgh's Pro Day[11]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (first stint)

See also: 2018 NFL Draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Whitehead in the fourth round (117th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.[12] The Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquired the pick they used to draft Whitehead in a trade that sent their second round (56th overall) pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for a second and fourth round pick. The New England Patriots drafted cornerback Duke Dawson 56th overall while the Buccaneers drafted Whitehead and cornerback Carlton Davis. Duke Dawson would never play a snap before being released after one season while Whitehead and Carlton Davis would both start in Super Bowl LV. He was the 10th safety drafted in 2018.[13]

External videos
video icon Buccaneers draft Whitehead 117th overall

2018 season

See also: 2018 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season

On May 10, 2018, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Whitehead to a four-year, $3.12 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $667,257.[14]

Throughout training camp, Whitehead competed for a role as a starting safety against Keith Tandy, Chris Conte, and Justin Evans.[15] Head coach Dirk Koetter named Chris Conte and Justin Evans the starting safeties to begin the season, with Whitehead listed as a backup behind Keith Tandy and Isaiah Johnson.[16]

On September 9, 2018, Whitehead made his professional regular season debut in the Buccaneers' season-opening 48–40 victory at the New Orleans Saints, appearing almost entirely on special teams. Whitehead was inactive for the Buccaneers' Week 4 loss at the Chicago Bears due to a shoulder and hamstring injury.[17] On October 14, 2018, Whitehead earned his first career start after Chris Conte was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury. Whitehead finished the Buccaneers' 34–29 loss at the Atlanta Falcons with six combined tackles (four solo). Prior to Week 8, Whitehead was named the starting strong safety for the remainder of the season. In Week 12, he collected a season-high ten solo tackles and broke up two pass attempts during a 27–9 win against the San Francisco 49ers.[18] He finished his rookie season in 2018 with 76 combined tackles (61 solo) and four pass deflections in 15 games and 11 starts.[19]

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished the 2018 NFL season with a 5-11 record. On December 30, 2018, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired head coach Dirk Koetter.[20]

2019 season

See also: 2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season

Throughout training camp, he competed to be the starting strong safety against rookie Mike Edwards. Head coach Bruce Arians named Whitehead the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, alongside free safety Mike Edwards.[21]

On September 29, 2019, Whitehead recorded two solo tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, and had his first career interception on a pass thrown by Jared Goff intended for wide receiver Cooper Kupp during a 55–40 win at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4.[22] In Week 14, Whitehead racked up a season-high nine combined tackles (six solo) as the Buccaneers defeated the Indianapolis Colts 38–35. The following week, Whitehead made one solo tackle and a pass deflection before sustaining a hamstring injury and exiting during the second quarter of a 38–17 win against the Detroit Lions. On December 18, 2019, the Buccaneers officially placed him on injured reserve and he subsequently missed the remaining two games of the season (Weeks 16–17).[23] He finished his sophomore season in 2019 with a total of 69 combined tackles (50 solo), nine pass deflections, one interception, and one fumble recovery in 14 games and 14 starts.[24]

2020 season

See also: 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season

Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles elected to retain Whitehead as the starting strong safety and paired him with rookie Antoine Winfield Jr. to kick off the regular season. In Week 3 at the Denver Broncos, Whitehead recorded five combined tackles (four solo) and had his first career sack on quarterback Jeff Driskel during a 28–10 victory.[25] On November 8, 2020, Whitehead collected a season-high eight combined tackles (five solo) as the Buccaneers were routed at home 38–3 by the New Orleans Saints. On November 23, 2020, Whitehead recorded seven combined tackles (four solo), deflected a pass, and intercepted a pass attempt by Jared Goff as the Buccaneers were defeated 27–24 by the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. He finished the 2020 NFL season with 76 combined tackles (53 solo), four pass deflections, two interceptions, two sacks, one forced fumble, and a single fumble recovery while starting all 16 games, marking his first full season of his career.[26]

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished second in the NFC South with an 11–5 record to clinch a Wildcard berth. On January 9, 2021, Whitehead started in his first playoff appearance and only had one pass deflection during a 31-23 win over the Washington Football Team in the NFC Wildcard Game. On January 24, 2021, Whitehead started in the NFC Championship Game and recorded five combined tackles (four solo) and two forced fumbles, with one being on running back Aaron Jones that was recovered by teammate Devin White during the Buccaneers' 31–26 victory at the Green Bay Packers.[27] Whitehead played in Super Bowl LV, a 31–9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. He recorded two solo tackles in the game.[28][29]

New York Jets

On March 17, 2022, Whitehead signed a two-year, $14.5 million contract with the New York Jets.[30] On October 2, Whitehead would record his first interception of the season off Steelers' QB Kenny Pickett's first career pass attempt.[31]

In Week 1 of the 2023 season, Whitehead intercepted Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen three times, eclipsing his career high in interceptions for an entire season up to that point. In doing so, he met a contract incentive only a week into the season, earning a $250,000 bonus.[32] He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.[33]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (second stint)

On March 13, 2024, Whitehead signed a two-year contract to return to the Buccaneers.[34] On January 4, 2025, Whitehead was involved in a car accident on his way to the Buccaneers practice facility.[35] Whitehead suffered injuries severe enough to be placed Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, ruling him out for several weeks including the Buccaneers' season finale against the New Orleans Saints to clinch the NFC South division title.[36]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck Sfty PD Int Yds Y/I Lng TD FF FR Yds Y/R TD
2018 TB 15 11 76 61 15 0.0 0 4 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 — 0
2019 TB 14 14 69 50 19 0.0 0 9 1 11 11.0 11 0 0 1 0 0.0 0
2020 TB 16 16 74 53 21 2.0 0 4 2 2 1.0 2 0 1 1 0 0.0 0
2021 TB 14 14 73 58 15 0.0 0 8 2 24 12.0 17 0 1 0 0 — 0
2022 NYJ 17 17 89 58 31 0.0 0 8 2 5 2.5 5 0 0 0 0 — 0
2023 NYJ 10 10 61 42 19 0.0 0 9 4 6 1.5 6 0 0 0 0 — 0
Career 86 82 442 322 120 2.0 0 42 11 48 4.4 17 0 2 2 0 — 0

Postseason

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast TFL QBH Sck Sfty PD Int Yds Y/I Lng TD FF FR Yds Y/R TD
2020 TB 4 4 9 8 1 0 0 0.0 0 1 0 0 — 0 0 2 0 0 — 0
2021 TB 2 2 13 10 3 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 — 0
Career 6 6 22 18 4 2 0 0.0 0 1 0 0 — 0 0 2 0 0 — 0

Personal life

Whitehead is a cousin of fellow former New York Jet and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Darrelle Revis.[37]

References

  1. ^ "Jordan Whitehead - Football". Pitt Panthers Athletics. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  2. ^ Polak, Nick (October 3, 2014). "Penn State Target Jordan Whitehead Commits to Pitt". Black Shoe Diaries. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  3. ^ "Jordan Whitehead 2015 Player Statistics". cfbstats. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  4. ^ "Jordan Whitehead". The Official Athletic Site of the University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  5. ^ "Jordan Whitehead makes Sporting News Freshman Team". Cardiac Hill. December 17, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  6. ^ deCourcy, Michael. "Pitt's Jordan Whitehead leaves game after suffering horrific arm injury". theScore.com. the Score. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  7. ^ "Jordan Whitehead 2016 Player Statistics". cfbstats. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  8. ^ DiPaola, Jerry (September 27, 2017). "Pitt safety Jordan Whitehead grateful for return to football field". Trib Live. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  9. ^ "Jordan Whitehead 2017 Player Statistics". cfbstats. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  10. ^ Batko, Brian (December 11, 2017). "Pitt star Jordan Whitehead declares for NFL draft". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  11. ^ "NFL Draft Profile: Jordan Whitehead". NFL.com. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  12. ^ "2018 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  13. ^ Arcia, Gil (April 28, 2018). "With the 117th pick, the Buccaneers grab Jordan Whitehead". BucsNation.com. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  14. ^ "Spotrac.com: Jordan Whitehead contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  15. ^ Auman, Greg (August 2, 2018). "Bucs safeties hope preseason can help iron out new helmet-related rules". TampaBay.com. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  16. ^ "Ourlads.com: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Depth Chart: 10/01/2017". Ourlads.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  17. ^ "Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Draws questionable tag". CBSSports.com. September 28, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  18. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 25th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  19. ^ "Jordan Whitehead 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  20. ^ Laine, Jenna (December 30, 2018). "Dirk Koetter out as Bucs coach after going 5-11 in 3rd season". espn.com. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  21. ^ Evan Winter (September 3, 2019). "Bucs release depth chart for Week 1". BucsNation.com. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  22. ^ "Winston throws 4 TD passes, Buccaneers outlast Rams 55–40". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 29, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  23. ^ "Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Shifts to IR". CBSSports.com. December 18, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  24. ^ "Jordan Whitehead 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  25. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Denver Broncos – September 27th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  26. ^ "Pro-Football-Reference: Jordan Whitehead stats (2020)". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  27. ^ "NFC Championship – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers – January 24th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  28. ^ Patra, Kevin (February 7, 2017). "What we learned from Buccaneers win over Chiefs in Super Bowl LV". NFL.com. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  29. ^ "Super Bowl LV – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 7th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  30. ^ Allen, Eric (March 17, 2022). "S Jordan Whitehead Brings Championship Pedigree to the Jets". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  31. ^ Vazques, Andy (October 2, 2022). "N.J.'s Kenny Pickett throws interception on first NFL pass for Steelers vs. Jets". NJ.com. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  32. ^ Kerr, Jeff (September 12, 2023). "Jets' Jordan Whitehead earns huge contract incentive with hat trick of interceptions vs. Bills, per report". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  33. ^ Gordon, Grant (September 13, 2023). "Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk highlight Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  34. ^ Smith, Scott (March 13, 2024). "Jordan Whitehead Returns to Bucs on Two-Year Deal". Buccaneers.com.
  35. ^ "Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead injured in car accident and placed on NFI list, per report". CBSSports.com. January 4, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  36. ^ Writer, James Brizuela Contributing Sports (January 4, 2025). "Bucs Star Safety Jordan Whitehead Involved in Car Accident". Newsweek. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  37. ^ Harrison, David (May 8, 2018). "Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jordan Whitehead on Darrelle Revis influence". The Pewter Plank. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
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