A day after Bucs common supervisor Jason Licht indicated that the staff could transfer on from Jordan Whitehead, the staff decided relating to the veteran robust security’s future in Tampa Bay.
In line with NFL Community’s Mike Garafolo, the Bucs usually are not selecting up the choice yr on Whitehead’s deal for the 2025 season. Whitehead signed a two-year contract price $9 million final yr, however the deal didn’t embody any assured cash for the 2025 season. The Bucs can save $4.5 million by parting methods with Whitehead.
The #Buccaneers have knowledgeable S Jordan Whitehead they’re not exercising his choice bonus, making him a free agent in a number of weeks, supply says. Whitehead is recovering from accidents suffered in a January automobile accident and is anticipated to be recovered effectively forward of the season. pic.twitter.com/MqUcQDgdmG
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce and Bucs SS Jordan Whitehead – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
Whitehead missed six video games final yr on account of harm and had an underwhelming season. He missed 4 video games on account of a strained pectoral harm in a Week 12 win at New York, after which the season finale and the Wild Card playoff recreation in opposition to Washington after struggling damaged vertebrae in his neck in a automobile crash in early January.
When requested about Whitehead’s future on Tuesday whereas addressing the media, Licht stated: “We’re evaluating that.“Another serious injury that didn’t happen on the field. We just need to make sure we’re making [the right decision]. Unfortunately in this business it’s making smart business decisions. We’re still evaluating that.”
When on the sector in his return to Tampa Bay final yr, Whitehead didn’t make a lot of an affect. He posted 79 tackles, however didn’t have any interceptions, sacks, compelled fumbles or fumble recoveries, and he solely had three move breakups.
Bucs Tab Tykee Smith To Take Over At Sturdy Security For Jordan Whitehead
Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. and NCB Tykee Smith – Photograph by: USA Right this moment
A part of the rationale why the Bucs are ready to maneuver on from Jordan Whitehead is as a result of the staff has plans to maneuver Tykee Smith from nickelback to robust security in 2025.
“Yeah, that’s definitely something we’ve talked about,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles stated about Smith. “Going into the spring that’s something we’re going to look at as well. Tykee wants to play safety, so we’re definitely going to be looking to be looking at it. It’s an option for us.”
Tampa Bay drafted Smith within the third spherical final yr out of Georgia and considered him as a flexible defensive again who may play both security place or within the slot as a nickelback the place he principally performed for the Bulldogs protection. He spent most of his rookie season taking part in nickel, supplanting Christian Izien, who began all 17 video games there within the 2023 season.
“He’s very comfortable for us at nickel,” Bowles stated of Smith. “He was our best nickel. Safety obviously stays on the field 100% of the time where the nickel is probably 75% of the time. He wants to be on the field 100% of the time. That doesn’t mean he’s not going to play from the nickel, but he can play more from the base defense. So, we’re going to look at that.”
