4 players likely playing their final game with NY Jets in Week 18

2. Jordan Whitehead, S, NY Jets

The Jets' defense has served as the foundation of the team this season. Despite some recent bumps in the road, this defense still remains one of the best overall units in the NFL. It's not perfect, however.

While the Jets' defensive line, linebackers, and cornerbacks are among the best in football, their safety group has caused trouble at times this season. Jordan Whitehead, the veteran of the position group, is the poster boy for that.

Whitehead has allowed more touchdowns than any other safety in the NFL this season while also missing more tackles than any player at his position. He's often been a liability both in coverage and run defense.

To Whitehead's credit, he has been better in coverage this season than that touchdown number indicates — but better still isn't "good." He's been a below-average starting safety for the Jets over the last two seasons.

With Whitehead set to his free agency this offseason, it seems unlikely that the Jets would be willing to bring him back. The team would be better off exploring other free-agent options, the 2024 NFL Draft, or even the trade market.

Whitehead has been a key part of the Jets' defensive puzzle over the last two years, but his time with the organization might be coming to an end in the near future. Sunday could very well be Whitehead's swan song with the Jets.