The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense was expected to look different in 2025. With Lavonte David's free agency, as well as other role players on defense, something had to give. What ended up being the first domino to fall, however, was Bucs general manager Jason Licht's decision.

The Buccaneers have informed safety Jordan Whitehead that they will be declining his 2025 option, which will make him an unrestricted free agent, a source confirmed to ESPN.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have declined their option on starting safety Jordan Whitehead, who was injured in a car accident early last month, NFL Network reported Wednesday.

Safety Jordan Whitehead is set to become a free agent next month. Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that the Buccaneers have informed Whitehead that they will not be picking up their option on his contract for 2025.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have opted not to exercise Jordan Whitehead’s option, making him a free agent ahead of the 2025 season.

Jordan Whitehead didn’t have enough memorable collisions on the field, but one significant one in traffic may have hastened an end to his Bucs career. The team has informed Whitehead of their plans to release him rather than honor the final year of a contract that would have paid the 27-year-old safety $4.

A day after Bucs general manager Jason Licht indicated that the team may move on from Jordan Whitehead, the team made a decision regarding the veteran strong safety’s future in Tampa Bay.