The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to welcome back safety Jordan Whitehead under a two-year, $9 million agreement, potentially worth up to $10.5 million, as stated by an insider source to The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The Buccaneers and Whitehead reached the contractual agreement on the premise of anonymity pending the formal start of the new league year when official signings can take place on Wednesday afternoon.
At 27, Whitehead is circling back to the Buccaneers after a tenure with the New York Jets for the past two seasons. His journey began when the Buccaneers selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 draft, eventually becoming a pivotal player in the squad’s Super Bowl triumph with Tom Brady in the 2020 season.
Accumulating 11 interceptions over his six-season career, Whitehead has been on the field for 93 games, starting in 89 of them. His performance with the Jets was impressive; in his two-year stint there, he did not miss a start, and he recorded a personal best of four interceptions in 2023, notably intercepting three passes in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
His return to Tampa Bay signifies a reunion with All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who, alongside Whitehead, played a significant role in thwarting Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl.
The Tampa Bay defense is also expected to integrate a new starting member in the secondary in 2024, with the anticipated promotion of Zyon McCollum following the departure of cornerback Carlton Davis, who was recently traded to the Detroit Lions.
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Rob Maaddi, AP Pro Football Writer, contributed to this piece.
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FAQs
- When can Jordan Whitehead’s contract with the Buccaneers be officially signed?
- The contract can be officially signed starting the new league year on Wednesday afternoon.
- How long is Jordan Whitehead’s contract with the Buccaneers?
- He has agreed on a two-year contract.
- What is the value of Jordan Whitehead’s contract?
- The contract is valued at $9 million but can reach up to $10.5 million with incentives.
- How many interceptions did Jordan Whitehead have in 2023?
- He had a career-high four interceptions in 2023.
- Who will Jordan Whitehead be reunified with in the Buccaneers’ defense?
- He will be reunited with All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
Conclusion
Jordan Whitehead’s homecoming to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is a strategic move for the team as they look to fortify their defense with a familiar and accomplished player. Securing Whitehead for two more years not only adds depth to the secondary but also brings leadership and experience back into the Buccaneers’ fold. The anticipation for the renewed synergy between Whitehead and Winfield Jr. is palpable, especially as the team aims to recreate their championship-caliber performance. With fresh talents like Zyon McCollum stepping up and veterans like Whitehead returning, the Buccaneers are shaping up to be a formidable presence in the league.