Bucs Gameday

Former Buccaneers Safety Jordan Whitehead Shines in NFL Week 1

Helping the New York Jets upset the Buffalo Bills, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead has been named the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week.

David Harrison

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NFL safety Jordan Whitehead spent his first four NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before heading to the New York Jets in free agency ahead of the 2022 season.

With the Buccanneers Whitehead not only won a Super Bowl, he racked up 292 total tackles including two sacks and brought in five interceptions on his way to becoming one of many fan-favorites on a highly competitive roster. 

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Whether it was cap-related or the continuing devaluation of the safety position Tampa Bay failed to retain Whitehead leading to his move up north last season. 

Since joining the Jets squad Whitehead has now brought in as many interceptions in one season and one game as he had in four years with the Bucs.

Helped in large part by a three-interception performance on Monday Night Football as New York upset the Buffalo Bills to get its first win of the season.

Because of that performance, Whitehead was also named Week 1's AFC Defensive Player of the Week, the first time he's earned the award in his career. 

"Three interceptions for Jordan Whitehead?!?!," tweeted senior writer and editor of Buccaneers.com Scott Smith on Monday night. "Couldn't be happier for one of the best guys to come through One Buc."

READ MORE: Tom Brady Linked to New York Jets Following Aaron Rodgers' Season-Ending Injury

Not all Bucs fans care about what players do when they leave the franchise, but given the happy mood this base is in right now and the fact that Whitehead was such a favorite during his time here, we're thinking Smith isn't the only one pleased to see what the safety did in Week 1.

Taking down a presumed Super Bowl contender in the process helps because we all know the Buccaneers' heart beats to the rhythm of the underdog.

That's something even three years of Tom Brady can't change.

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David Harrison
DAVID HARRISON

David Harrison has been in sports media since 2015 using written, audio, and video media to cover athletes, coaches, and games. In addition to covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for BucsGameday and Locked On Bucs he also covers the Washington Commanders for Commander Country and Locked On Commanders and the Washington Wizards for Inside the Wizards. David also covers the NFL as a whole as one of the Friday hosts for Locked On NFL. He is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and previously spent 20 years as an active member of the United States Army. Contact David via email at david.w.harrison82@gmail.com or on Twitter @DHarrison82.