The longtime Buccaneers and Jets starter is an interesting look-see for Atlanta.
I’ve written multiple times about how exciting the Atlanta Falcons safety position is, with its depth and the talent assembled between star starter Jessie Bates, veteran contenders Jordan Fuller and DeMarcco Hellams, and intriguing rookie Xavier Watts. Even though that’s a strong group of four, the Falcons may not be done building the position up.
Per NFL insider Mike Garafolo, the Falcons are working out safety Jordan Whitehead today, with the veteran cleared after a January car accident and hoping to find a new landing spot.
Veteran S Jordan Whitehead is visiting the #Falcons today, source says. The former #Buccaneers starter, who was injured in a car accident in January, recently received full medical clearance and is exploring his next opportunity. pic.twitter.com/QN6gJMhx01
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 30, 2025
Atlanta would seem an odd fit for a player who is used to starting, but that comes with a caveat we’ll get to in a moment. The 28-year-old safety has been a full-time starter every year of his career since arriving in the league in 2012, though he only appeared in 12 games in 2024 in a year Buccaneers fans will tell you was not up to his usual standards. Throughout most of the rest of his career, Whitehead offered dependable tackling, quality run defense, and some playmaking ability, highlighted by a 2023 season in New York where he managed four interceptions. Early in his career, he also had a consistent if small role on special teams.
The problem for Whitehead and his market is that car accident, which he suffered back in January, and that past season. Whitehead was recuperating from a pectoral injury but had returned for Week 17 before the accident, and he suffered a cervical fracture that obviously involved lengthy recovery. Coming off an injury-marred season that was widely regarded as the worst of his career and just recently receiving medical clearance from the fracture, Whitehead will likely struggle to find a landing spot that offers him a clear path to a starting job, though I’d be surprised if multiple teams weren’t planning to take a look.
Atlanta isn’t a lock to sign him, but assuming good health, Whitehead is an extremely seasoned option who would be a high-end reserve and capable fill-in starter if the need arises. If the Falcons are looking to play three safeties more frequently this season, having Bates, Watts, Fuller, Whitehead, and Hellams available would give them the group necessary to do that and weather any injuries. I would not view Whitehead as a threat to Fuller or Watts for the starting job next to Bates, however. It’s difficult to quibble with a signing that would give the Falcons a player of this caliber this late in the summer, even if safety doesn’t seem like a need on paper.
We’ll see if they sign Whitehead, but the Falcons continuing to prioritize defensive upgrades and depth in such a critical season is very welcome indeed.