TAMPA, Fla. — The 10 Tampa Bay team goes one-on-one with a Buccaneers player every week. In this week's edition of "The One Buc," sports reporter David Schiele had the chance to speak with safety Jordan Whitehead.
Whitehead is back with the Bucs — the team that drafted him in 2018 — after spending the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the New York Jets. Although the stint was short, the Pittsburgh native believes he grew during his time in the Northeast.
"I learned a lot because [the Bucs] defense is so complex. When you go somewhere else it's so simple," he said. "It picks up your IQ though."
While with the Jets, Whitehead totaled 186 tackles and 6 interceptions. Admittedly, it was hard for Bucs General Manager Jason Licht to see one of his draft picks flourishing on another team.
"With Jordan, it was a mea culpa. We had to draw the line at some point, and I made a mistake. I’m glad we got him back," Licht said during the offseason.
Since being back in Tampa Bay, the veteran safety is enjoying the atmosphere he was part of in the early years of his career.
"It's a home feeling. Coach Bowles is laidback on and off the field," he said.
Whitehead has 31 tackles, including a tackle for loss, after the season's first four games. He recorded a career-high 11 tackles in Tampa Bay's win against the Lions in week two.
Whitehead said his goals this season are to win another Super Bowl with the Bucs and record a career-high five interceptions. He'll have a chance to grab his first Thursday night when the Bucs take on the Falcons in primetime from Atlanta.