The New York Jets continue to add pieces to their secondary.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan revealed that New York Giants defensive back Dane Belton is signing a one-year deal with the Jets. That deal has a maximum value of $6 million.
“Belton is a standout on special teams and was second on the Giants with 100 total tackles this past season,” Raanan added.
What Kind of Player Are the Jets Getting?
Belton, 25, entered the league as the No. 114 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
He has spent his entire four-year career to this point with the Giants. Belton has appeared in 66 games and has made 22 starts. With those opportunities, he has collected 240 total tackles, four sacks, eight tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, six interceptions, 16 pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries.
Top Social Media Reactions to Belton Joining Jets
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz revealed that the base of the deal for Belton is a $4 million contract with upside to get to $6 million.
That $4 million annual salary would place Belton No. 36 among the highest-paid safeties in the NFL, per Over The Cap.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said, “Dane Belton brings something the Jets have been severely lacking at safety for a long time: He’s a sure tackler. [He] had the lowest missed tackle percentage (4.1) among all safeties to play at least 400 snaps, per PFF.”
A clip resurfaced from the Giants – Detroit Lions joint practice during training camp back in 2023. Lions running back David Montgomery caught a screen pass. Unbeknownst to him, Belton came up from behind him and punched the ball out, caught it, and then returned it to the house for a touchdown.
“Here’s what Jets fans will love about Dane Belton: The ball just finds him. Six INTs in 66 career games. Mostly a third safety during that time. PLayed more than 460 snaps just once in his career. It was last season when he played 705,” NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY wrote.
It’s Already Better Than It Was
At the time of publication, we’re less than 24 hours into the first day of the legal tampering period on Monday, March 9.
Despite so little time having transpired, the Jets have already massively improved their roster on the defensive side of the football.
Specifically at the safety position, the Jets have done work. The first move of the day was striking a trade with the Miami Dolphins to acquire proven veteran Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Now the Jets have added Belton to the mix. They will both join second-year safety Malachi Moore, who figures to be a key component of the Jets’ defense in 2026.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said this current group “is already better” than it was last year. I agree.
Rosenblatt said he imagines the team will add a “rookie” to the mix during the 2026 NFL draft.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic said, “Deep, deep safety class this year. Best part is there are multiple safeties in every round worth getting excited about. Might see double-digit safeties go top-100.”
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