3 free agent signings the NY Jets wish they could undo

2. Jordan Whitehead, S, NY Jets

The Jets signed Jordan Whitehead to a two-year, $14.5 million contract in March of last year. One year removed from a Super Bowl victory, Whitehead was expected to provide a welcomed, physical presence to the back end of the Jets' defense.

The 26-year-old did start all 17 games and was the better of the Jets' two safeties, but it's safe to say he fell short of expectations. Whitehead was mostly a weak spot in the Jets' defense last season.

His 15.6 percent missed tackle rate finished fourth-worst among safeties to play at least 80 percent of their team's defensive snaps. His his Pro Football Focus run-defense grade ranked 59th out of 82 qualified safeties.

Whitehead was a liability in run defense and as a tackler in open space. His tackling has always been inconsistent, but Whitehead regressed as a run defender in 2022.

The former Pittsburgh standout saw his PFF run defense grade shrink from an excellent 78.4 in 2021 to a lackluster 59.4 in his first year with the Jets. After recording 41 run stops in his final season with the Buccaneers, Whitehead mustered just 30 in 2022.

Whitehead was inconsistent at best this past season. The Jets restructured his contract in the offseason, allowing him one final chance to prove that his signing wasn't a mistake.

As of now, however, Whitehead has fallen short of expectations. He has an opportunity to change the narrative this season/