Before the legal tampering period even began, the Jets added a star safety in veteran Minkah Fitzpatrick. This in itself could have been good enough to improve the position group overall, but Darren Mougey went one step further. Late on the first day of free agency, the Jets agreed to terms on a 1 year deal worth up to $6 million with former Giants safety Dane Belton.
The Jets Complete the Overhaul of the Safety Room with Dane Belton
Going into 2025, the Jets’ safety duo was free agent acquisition Andre Cisco and UDFA success story Tony Adams. As the season progressed, it was clear that this was not the future. Cisco unfortunately tore his pectoral, ending his season prematurely, and Tony Adams’ play regressed. Then-rookie Malachi Moore emerged as a potential piece, but there was definitely more needed. Fast-forward to March 9th, 2026, and more has arrived. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Dane Belton will now join Malachi Moore in an effort to revamp safety play in New York. After years of Joe Douglas neglecting spending on this position, it’s nice to see Darren Mougey treat the safety spot seriously. Credit to Aaron Glenn as well, as his defensive background is the biggest reason for this.
How Belton Fits what the Jets Need
Based on the APY of $4 million, which could be $6 million, Belton will most likely be a rotational piece. This is perfect, as this is the role he played for almost the entirety of his tenure with the Giants. In this role, Dane Belton produced a lot. He registered 4 interceptions, 6 pass-breakups, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 148 tackles as a Giant per PFF. Those turnover numbers are what is important for his new occupation next door, as the Jets forced almost none of those last season. Compound this with the addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick, and the Jets are immediately much better in this department.
S Dane Belton is signing with the Jets, per source. It's a one-year deal that can be worth up to $6 million.
Belton is a standout on special teams and was second on the Giants with 100 total tackles this past season.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) March 9, 2026
Are They Done at Safety?
Typically, the top three safeties on a team’s depth chart are the ones that get the most playing time. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Malachi Moore, and Dane Belton are a solid top three and would immediately improve the efforts of 2025. However, the Jets should add one more to this room. Specifically, the Jets should draft one from this illustrious class on Day 3. This class is heralded for being deep at the position, so it would be shocking if Aaron Glenn and Brian Duker (two guys who love safeties) didn’t walk out with one. Some guys to watch include: Zakee Wheatley from Penn State, VJ Payne from Kansas State, and Jakobe Thomas from Miami. One of these guys can push Dane Belton, or perhaps even Malachi Moore, for a place in the rotation. The prior is more likely, though. Overall, Darren Mougey has done a great job with the safety spot thus far.
