Dane Belton: Everything you need to know

Belton and the Jets agreed to terms Monday on a one-year contract worth up to $6 million, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports. Belton spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Giants after being selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he'll stay in New York but suit up for the Jets in 2026. He's coming off the most productive season of his career, finishing with 120 tackles (60 solo), including 2.0 sacks, five pass defenses (one interception) and three forced fumbles across 17 regular-season games in 2025. Belton will likely compete with Malachi Moore for the second starting spot at safety alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Belton concluded the 2025-26 regular season with 120 tackles (including 2.0 sacks), five defensed passes (including an interception) and three forced fumbles over 17 contests. Belton began the campaign as a rotational defensive back, but he started nine of New York's final 10 games. That helped the 2022 fourth-round draft pick more than double his previous career-high mark for tackles in a season, and the three forced fumbles were also a career best. Belton doesn't grade out as an elite defender, but he buoyed his value to the Giants by thriving on special teams. He's slated to become a free agent, and it's unclear if New York will attempt to bring him back.

Belton recorded seven tackles (three solo) and one interception in the Giants' 34-10 win over the Raiders on Sunday. Belton picked off Geno Smith in the fourth quarter, and it was Belton's first interception of the season. The fourth-year safety has produced a career-high 107 tackles (52 solo), including a career-best 2.0 sacks, five pass breakups, including the one interception, and three forced fumbles on 61 percent of the defensive snaps across 16 appearances this season.