Benton Whitley

Benton Whitley Bio

Benton Whitley is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Whitley attended Minnechaug Regional High School before playing college football at Holy Cross from 2017 to 2021. After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams and has since played for multiple NFL franchises including the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and Arizona Cardinals before joining Tampa Bay in 2025.

Early Life and Background

Benton Whitley was born on February 12, 1999, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He grew up in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, where he attended Minnechaug Regional High School. During his high school years, Whitley developed into a promising football player, laying the foundation for his future collegiate career at the Division I level.

Path to Professional Football

Following his standout high school career, Whitley enrolled at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he played for the Holy Cross Crusaders from 2017 to 2021. He became a starter during his junior season and utilized the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning for a fifth season with the program. Whitley finished his collegiate career having appeared in 42 games, recording 111 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks. His consistent performance earned him recognition, as he was named First-team All-Patriot League in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Benton Whitley Career

Early Career (2022)

After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Whitley signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022. The Rams had just won Super Bowl LVI and were building on their championship roster. Whitley was waived during final roster cuts on August 30 but was signed to the practice squad the following day, allowing him to continue developing within the organization.

Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings (2022–2023)

The Kansas City Chiefs signed Whitley from the Rams practice squad to their active roster on September 21, 2022. He was waived by the Chiefs less than a month later on October 12 but was re-signed to their practice squad two days after that. On October 19, 2022, the Minnesota Vikings signed Whitley off the Chiefs practice squad. He was waived by the Vikings in November 2022 but rejoined their practice squad shortly after. Whitley signed a reserve/future contract with Minnesota on January 16, 2023, securing his spot for the 2023 season. He was waived and re-signed to the practice squad multiple times during training camp before being elevated to the active roster for Week 1 of the 2023 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

New York Giants (2023–2024)

On November 21, 2023, the New York Giants signed Whitley off the Vikings practice squad. He established himself with the organization and on March 15, 2024, the Giants re-signed him to a one-year contract worth $985,000. The contract represented a vote of confidence in his development as a professional. Whitley was waived by the Giants on October 5, 2024, and re-signed to their practice squad.

Arizona Cardinals (2024)

Whitley joined the Arizona Cardinals on December 24, 2024, signing off the Giants practice squad. He continued his journeyman path through the NFL, moving to his fifth franchise in just three seasons since entering the league as an undrafted free agent.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2025–Present)

Whitley signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad on November 12, 2025. The opportunity allowed him to continue his NFL career with a new organization. On January 8, 2026, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the Buccaneers, securing his place on the roster for the 2026 season. He was waived by Tampa Bay on May 11, 2026.

Driving Style and Strengths

Whitley plays the linebacker position with a focus on outside linebacker duties, where his speed and length serve as his primary assets. His 6-foot-4 frame allows him to rush the passer effectively and disrupt passing lanes. His collegiate production of 26.5 tackles for loss demonstrates his ability to penetrate the backfield and create negative plays for opposing offenses. Whitley’s journey through multiple franchises reflects his adaptability and persistence as he continues to pursue a consistent role in the NFL.

Notable Events and Milestones

Whitley’s career has been defined by his persistence following an undrafted start in 2022. He has navigated the challenging path of being signed, waived, and re-signed multiple times across six franchises in his first five professional seasons. His three consecutive First-team All-Patriot League selections from 2019 to 2021 remain the highlight of his football achievements, demonstrating his sustained excellence at the collegiate level. His 15.5 career sacks at Holy Cross showcase his pass-rushing ability that he has worked to translate to the professional level.

Benton Whitley Career Wins

Across his professional career from 2022 through 2025, Whitley has appeared in limited regular-season games while continuing to develop within NFL organizations. His career NFL statistics through the 2024 season include 1 fumble recovery and 1 pass deflection. The majority of his professional experience has come on practice squads, where he has honed his skills while awaiting opportunities on active rosters.

College Highlights

Whitley’s most significant career wins came during his five seasons at Holy Cross from 2017 to 2021. He appeared in 42 games with the Crusaders, accumulating 111 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks. His three First-team All-Patriot League selections from 2019 through 2021 represent his most notable achievements, validating his status as one of the top defensive players in the conference during his collegiate career. His 26.5 career tackles for loss demonstrated his ability to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks and disrupt running plays.

Professional Highlights

In the NFL, Whitley’s opportunities have been limited as he has worked to establish himself following an undrafted entry into the league. His 2025 season with Tampa Bay provided a chance to continue his professional development. His journey through six franchises in five seasons reflects the challenging road faced by undrafted players competing for roster spots in the NFL.

Benton Whitley Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Limited verified information is available regarding Whitley’s family background and racing lineage. No public information indicates any family connection to professional athletics or racing in his background.

Personal Life

Whitley continues his professional football career following his path from Springfield, Massachusetts, through his collegiate career at Holy Cross and into his journeyman NFL career. As a public figure in professional sports, details of his personal life remain private.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a new chapter for Whitley as he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization. He signed with the Buccaneers practice squad in November 2025, providing him with an opportunity to continue developing within the NFL system. The late-season signing allowed him to integrate with the team and prepare for the 2026 campaign. His signing to a reserve/futures contract in January 2026 demonstrated the Buccaneers’ commitment to evaluating his potential for future seasons. However, he was waived by Tampa Bay in May 2026, and subsequently signed with the Cleveland Browns in June 2026, marking his seventh NFL franchise.