General manager Jason Licht spoke about the future of Bucs defensive backs Jamel Dean and Jordan Whitehead in Tampa Bay at the NFL Scouting Combine.

There’s a chance that neither returns in 2025, although Licht didn’t come right out and say it.

Licht traded oft-injured cornerback Carlton Davis III last year to clear some salary cap room and create a starting spot to get the more talented – and healthier – Zyon McCollum in the lineup. Davis, who struggled to record interceptions in Tampa Bay with just nine in six seasons, was dealt to Detroit along with a sixth-round pick in exchange for the Lions’ third-round pick.

Former Bucs CB Carlton Davis III and CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: USA Today

The same fate could happen to Dean this offseason, as he has a $15,136,941 cap value, and trading or releasing him could free up $8,284,941 in cap room. That would only result in only a dead cap hit of $6.852 million.

“Another thing that we’re discussing internally,” Licht said. “We love Jamel, he’s done some great things for us. He’s been with us a long time. He hasn’t been on the field as often as we would like, and there are some things we have to look at and evaluate the whole landscape at that position and what it’s like in the draft.”

Like Davis, Dean has missed multiple games in each season due to injuries, and he’s failed to make plays on the ball. Dean has just eight interceptions in his six years in Tampa Bay and no more than two in any season. After failing to record a pick in 2023, he had just one in the 2024 season.

The Bucs agreed to the Davis trade on March 11 last year, which was right before the start of free agency. Licht could make a similar move with Dean, but said on Tuesday that there was no hurry to make a decision because the team doesn’t need to clear any additional salary cap space immediately.

“There’s no timetable on that, either,” Licht said. “There’s no rush to make that decision.”

Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When Dean is healthy, he’s been a quality starter. But his penchant for getting injured has made him unreliable. Dean turns 29 this year and he’s not going to be getting healthier as he ages.

Dean missed five games last year and the second halves of two others, including the 23-20 Wild Card playoff loss to Washington. Dean’s replacement, second-year cornerback Josh Hayes, surrendered a fourth down touchdown to Terry McLaurin and a 21-yard catch-and-run to Dyami Brown on third-and-6 on the Commanders’ final drive.

Whether or not Dean remains in Tampa Bay, the Bucs plan on addressing the cornerback position in the draft and possibly in free agency this offseason.

“We’re looking at that position regardless,” Licht said. “That’s one position that we just need to add some depth.”

Like Jamel Dean, Jordan Whitehead’s Future With Bucs In Uncertain

Bucs SS Jordan Whitehead and Giants QB Tommy DeVito – Photo by: USA Today

Re-signing safety Jordan Whitehead was regarded as one of the better free agent moves last year in Tampa Bay. A former Bucs fourth-round draft pick in 2018, Whitehead came back to the team on a two-year, $9 million deal but really underwhelmed in his return to Tampa Bay.

Whitehead missed six games last year due to injury. He missed four games due to a strained pectoral injury in a Week 12 win at New York, and then the season finale and the Wild Card playoff game against Washington after suffering broken vertebrae in his neck in a car crash in early January.

When on the field, Whitehead failed to make much of an impact. He posted 79 tackles, but didn’t have any interceptions, sacks, forced fumbles or fumble recoveries, and he only had three pass breakups.

That lack of production, plus his neck injury and the fact that the Bucs can cut Whitehead and save $4.5 million and not have any dead cap money associated with the move, makes his release seem likely once he recovers.

“We’re evaluating that,” Licht said. “Another serious injury that didn’t happen on the field. We just need to make sure we’re making [the right decision]. Unfortunately in this business it’s making smart business decisions. We’re still evaluating that.

Licht’s tone indicated that the team might be moving on from him at some point, but he still likes Whitehead and didn’t completely rule out a return.

“Jordan is a great guy,” Licht said. “We would love to have him back, but we just need to make sure that he’s healthy.”

If Whitehead did return for the 2025 season, it would be because the Bucs weren’t able to find an adequate replacement in free agency or the draft – and he was given a clean bill of health from team doctors.