Michael White Bio
Michael White is an American professional football quarterback who has played for multiple NFL franchises since entering the league in 2018. Selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, White has developed into a reliable backup quarterback who has stepped into starting roles when called upon. His most notable professional achievements came during his tenure with the New York Jets, where he earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in 2021. White has represented the Cowboys, Jets, Dolphins, Bills, Bengals, and Panthers throughout his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Michael White was born on March 25, 1995, in Pembroke Pines, Florida. He attended NSU University School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he developed into a dual-sport athlete excelling in both football and baseball. White did not become a starter at quarterback until his senior season, when he passed for 2,201 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just two interceptions while leading his team to the Class 3A state championship. His exceptional performance earned him recognition as the Class 3A Florida Player of the Year.
In addition to his football achievements, White was a highly regarded baseball pitcher. He posted a 9–2 win-loss record with a remarkable 0.43 earned run average and received All-Broward County honors as a junior. White ultimately chose to pursue football at the collegiate level, committing to the University of South Florida to play college football.
Path to Professional Football
White began his college career at South Florida in 2013. He started five games as a true freshman but struggled with consistency, completing 93 of 175 passes for 1,083 yards with three touchdowns and nine interceptions. Prior to his sophomore season, he was named the starting quarterback. In 10 starts during his sophomore year, he completed 122 of 242 passes for 1,639 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Prior to the 2015 season, White transferred to Western Kentucky University after South Florida’s head coach Willie Taggart switched from a pro-style offense to a spread offense. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he sat out the entire 2015 season. White was named the starting quarterback to open the 2016 season and delivered a breakout performance, starting all 14 games and completing 280 of 416 passes for 4,363 yards with 37 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. His impressive play earned him C-USA Newcomer of the Year honors. As a senior in 2017, he continued his strong play, completing 368 of 560 passes for 4,177 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, earning Second-team All-C-USA recognition.
Michael White Career
College to NFL Transition (2017–2018)
Following his successful college career at Western Kentucky, White accepted an invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl. On January 27, 2018, he completed 8 of 11 pass attempts for 128 yards and two touchdowns, significantly helping his draft stock with that performance. White attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he completed all the combine and positional drills. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, most NFL draft experts projected him as a third or fourth round pick, and he was ranked among the top quarterback prospects in the draft.
Dallas Cowboys (2018)
The Dallas Cowboys selected White in the fifth round (171st overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He became the second Western Kentucky quarterback to be drafted into the NFL and surpassed Brandon Doughty as the highest drafted quarterback from that program. On May 12, 2018, the Cowboys signed White to a four-year, $2.67 million contract that included a signing bonus of $217,553. He spent his rookie season as the third-string quarterback behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush.
During the 2019 preseason, White was given the opportunity to compete for the backup job behind Prescott. However, on August 31, 2019, he was waived after the team decided to carry just two quarterbacks on the regular season roster. The Cowboys opted not to add him to the practice squad.
New York Jets (2019–2022)
On September 25, 2019, White was signed to the New York Jets practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on December 30, 2019, securing his spot on the roster for the 2020 season. White spent much of his first two seasons with the Jets as a practice squad quarterback, being promoted and waived multiple times as the team managed their quarterback depth chart.
White’s breakthrough moment came during the 2021 season. After an injury to starting quarterback Zach Wilson early in the second quarter of a Week 7 matchup against the New England Patriots, White made his regular season debut. He immediately moved the Jets into the end zone with a touchdown pass to Corey Davis. With Wilson still injured, White made his first career start against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8. White briefly left the game due to a head injury but returned, finishing the game completing 37 of 45 passes for 405 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions as the Jets won 34–31. He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance. He became the first Jets quarterback since Vinny Testaverde in 2000 to throw for 400 or more yards in a game and the first quarterback in the NFL to achieve that milestone in his first career start since Cam Newton.
On March 16, 2022, White re-signed with the Jets for one year and $2.54 million. Near the end of the 2022 season, White was announced as the Jets Week 12 starter against the Chicago Bears after Zach Wilson was benched. White completed 22 of 28 passes for 315 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Jets’ 31–10 win. He followed that performance with 369 passing yards the next week against the Minnesota Vikings. During a game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 14, White passed for 268 yards but suffered numerous hard hits to the chest from Buffalo’s pass rush. White was forced to leave the game twice but decided to come back both times in what turned out to be a 20–12 Jets loss. He was later revealed to have two broken ribs and was checked into a local Buffalo hospital as a precautionary measure. White returned as a starter in Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks but struggled, passing for 240 yards with two interceptions and a fumble lost. It was later revealed he had been playing through five broken ribs throughout the season.
Miami Dolphins (2023)
On March 16, 2023, White signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. He served as the backup quarterback behind Tua Tagovailoa. He appeared in six games during the 2023 season, completing 5 of 6 passes for 74 yards, including a notable 68-yard touchdown pass to Robbie Chosen during garbage time in a 70–20 win against the Denver Broncos. In 2024, he was passed on the depth chart by Skylar Thompson during the preseason. On August 25, 2024, White was released after the Dolphins decided to keep only two quarterbacks on the roster.
Buffalo Bills (2024–2025)
On August 28, 2024, White signed with the Buffalo Bills on their practice squad, with primary backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky expected to miss the early part of the season due to injury. In his first interview with the press since signing, White quipped that his only condition was that he could not be locker mates with Matt Milano, who had delivered the hit that broke his ribs during the 2022 Bills-Jets game. White was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for the team’s December 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers. On January 3, 2025, the Bills signed White to their active roster and extended him through the 2025 season. However, on August 26, 2025, White was released by the Bills as part of final roster cuts.
Cincinnati Bengals (2025)
On September 16, 2025, White was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad. He was released on October 7, 2025, after appearing in one game for the team.
Carolina Panthers (2025)
On October 21, 2025, White was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad. On October 30, 2025, White was signed to Carolina’s active roster. He was released on November 8 and re-signed to the practice squad three days later on November 11, 2025, as he continues to work toward securing a permanent role on the Panthers roster.
Playing Style and Strengths
White is known for his strong arm and ability to make quick decisions from the pocket. His college career at Western Kentucky demonstrated his proficiency in a pass-heavy offense, where he consistently showed the ability to read defenses and deliver accurate passes at all levels of the field. In his limited NFL appearances, White has shown the capability to step in and manage games effectively, evidenced by his 405-yard performance in his first career start. His experience in multiple offensive systems has prepared him to adapt quickly to different team environments.
Notable Events and Milestones
White’s most memorable professional moment came during his first career start with the Jets in 2021 against the Cincinnati Bengals. His 405-yard passing performance earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors and made NFL history as the first quarterback to throw for 400 or more yards in his first career start since Cam Newton. His gritty performance during the 2022 season, including playing through multiple broken ribs, demonstrated his toughness and competitive drive despite unfavorable circumstances.
Michael White Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning seven seasons, White has appeared in games with multiple franchises, serving primarily as a backup quarterback while also stepping into starting roles when injuries to starters created opportunities.
NFL Statistics Highlights
White has accumulated career statistics including 324 passing attempts, 199 completions, 2,247 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. His career completion percentage stands at 61.4 percent with a passer rating of 74.7. His most productive stretch came during the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Jets, when he threw for over 400 yards in a single game and earned his first AFC Offensive Player of the Week award. His college career at Western Kentucky showcased his full potential, with back-to-back seasons of over 4,000 passing yards and a combined 63 touchdowns against just 15 interceptions across his two seasons as a starter.
Accolades and Recognition
White has earned several accolades throughout his football career. At the collegiate level, he was named C-USA Newcomer of the Year in 2016 and earned Second-team All-C-USA honors in 2017. His professional recognition includes AFC Offensive Player of the Week following his historic debut start with the Jets. In high school, he was named the Class 3A Florida Player of the Year after leading his team to a state championship.
| Competition Level | Games | Completions | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career | 17 | 199 | 324 | 2,247 | 9 | 13 |
| Western Kentucky (2016–2017) | 28 | 648 | 976 | 8,540 | 63 | 15 |
Michael White Personal Life
Family Background
White’s athletic abilities appear to run in his family bloodline. His father, brothers, and other relatives have been involved in athletics and sports. White himself demonstrated multi-sport talent from an early age, excelling not only in football but also as a highly decorated baseball pitcher during his high school years.
Off-Field Life
White is married to Mallory White. The couple has two children together, twins consisting of a son and a daughter. White maintains a presence on social media, where he shares glimpses of his family life alongside updates about his football career. He is known among teammates and coaches for his work ethic and professionalism, qualities that have helped him sustain a professional football career despite the challenges of being a journeyman quarterback in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a period of transition for White as he continues his NFL journey with his sixth NFL franchise. After beginning the season with the Buffalo Bills and then a brief stint with the Cincinnati Bengals, White found his way to the Carolina Panthers practice squad in October 2025. He was promoted to the active roster later that month before returning to the practice squad.
The Panthers are currently focused on developing their roster and finding consistency at the quarterback position. White brings veteran experience to the room, having played in multiple offensive systems throughout his career. His ability to adapt quickly and perform when called upon, as demonstrated throughout his career, makes him a valuable asset as the team evaluates its options for the future.
White continues to work toward securing a more permanent role on the Panthers roster. His experience as a backup who can step in and manage games provides depth and insurance for teams navigating the long NFL season. As he enters his eighth professional season, White remains focused on contributing to his team in whatever capacity is needed while continuing to develop his skills.