Jordan Whitehead

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

Jordan Whitehead
refer to caption
Whitehead with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021
No. 3 – New York Jets
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1997-03-18) March 18, 1997
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
NFL Draft:2018 / Round: 4 / Pick: 117
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 1, 2023
Total tackles:383
Sacks:2.0
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:2
Interceptions:10
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

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 video
video icon Jordan Whitehead's NFL Combine Workout
video icon NFL Draft Profile: Jordan Whitehead
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench 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 s1.61 s2.66 s4.31 s7.16 s34 in
(0.86 m)		10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		21 reps
All values from NFL Combine /Pittsburgh's Pro Day[11]

2018 season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Whitehead in the fourth round with the 117th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.[12] Whitehead was the 10th safety drafted in 2018.[13]

External video
video icon Buccaneers draft Whitehead 117th overall

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 Whitehead the third backup free safety on the depth chart, behind Chris Conte and Keith Tandy.[16]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' season-opening 48–40 victory at the New Orleans Saints. 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. 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]

2019 season

Whitehead recorded his first career interception in a 55–40 win over the Los Angeles Rams.[20] In week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks, Whitehead recovered a fumble forced by teammate Devin White on running back Chris Carson in the 40–34 loss.[21] In Week 15, during a 38–17 win against the Detroit Lions, Whitehead injured his hamstring and left the game. On December 18, 2019, Whitehead was placed on injured reserve.[22] He finished his second professional season with 69 tackles, nine pass deflections, one interception, and one fumble recovery.[23]

2020 season

In Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers, Whitehead recorded his first interception of the season off a pass thrown by Teddy Bridgewater during the 31–17 win.[24] In Week 3 against the Denver Broncos, Whitehead recorded his first career sack during the 28–10 win.[25] In Week 11 against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football, Whitehead intercepted a pass thrown by Jared Goff during the 27–24 loss.

In the NFC Championship against the Green Bay Packers, Whitehead forced a fumble on running back Aaron Jones that was recovered by teammate Devin White during the 31–26 win.[26] Whitehead played in Super Bowl LV, a 31–9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. He recorded two solo tackles in the game.[27][28]

New York Jets

On March 17, 2022, Jordan Whitehead signed a two-year, $14.5 million contract with the New York Jets.[29] On October 2, Whitehead would record his first interception of the season off Steelers' QB Kenny Pickett's first career pass attempt.[30]

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.[31] He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.[32]

NFL career statistics
Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstTFLQBHSckSftyPDIntYdsY/ILngTDFFFRYdsY/RTD
2018TB 1511766115400.00400—00000—0
2019TB 1414695019410.00911111.01100100.00
2020TB 1616745321932.004221.0201100.00
2021TB 1414735815510.00822412.0170100—0
2022NYJ 1717895831400.008252.550000—0
2023NYJ 11211000.003300.000000—0
Career77733832811022652.003610424.2170220—0

Postseason
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstTFLQBHSckSftyPDIntYdsY/ILngTDFFFRYdsY/RTD
2020TB 44981000.00100—00200—0
2021TB 2213103200.00000—00000—0
Career6622184200.00100—00200—0

Personal life

Whitehead is the cousin of former NFL cornerback Darrelle Revis and Stanley E Sims Jr.[33]

References
  1. "Jordan Whitehead". The Official Athletic Site of the University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  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. "Winston throws 4 TD passes, Buccaneers outlast Rams 55–40". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 29, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  21. "Wilson throws 5 TDs, Seahawks outlast Bucs 40–34 in OT". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  22. "Buccaneers' Jordan Whitehead: Shifts to IR". CBSSports.com. December 18, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  23. "Jordan Whitehead 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  24. "Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – September 20th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  25. "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Denver Broncos – September 27th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  26. "NFC Championship – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers – January 24th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  27. Patra, Kevin (February 7, 2017). "What we learned from Buccaneers win over Chiefs in Super Bowl LV". NFL.com. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  28. "Super Bowl LV – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 7th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  29. Allen, Eric (March 17, 2022). "S Jordan Whitehead Brings Championship Pedigree to the Jets". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  30. 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.
  31. Kerr, Jeff. "Jets' Jordan Whitehead earns huge contract incentive with hat trick of interceptions vs. Bills, per report". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  32. Gordon, Grant (September 13, 2023). "Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk highlight Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  33. 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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