Justin

Bethel

Bethel made a living in the NFL off of his special teams abilities through 12 seasons. He only started 15 career games at defensive back, but was a three-time Pro Bowler for special teams on the Cardinals. Bethel spent the first six seasons of his career with Arizona and bounced around between the Falcons, Ravens, Patriots, and Dolphins for his final six seasons. He did not have a team for the 2024 season, making the Dolphins his last team after 17 games with them in 2023. Finishing his NFL career with 282 combined tackles, Bethel’s NFL legacy remains one of special teams utility.

Bethel is a special teams expert who is set to enter his 11th NFL season. If he’s on a roster in 2023, it most likely won’t be the Dolphins, after the team made him a part of their cuts to trim the roster down to 53 players. In addition to Bethel, the Dolphins also released/waived WR Robbie Chosen, RB Myles Gaskin, DT Da’Shawn Hand, TE Tyler Kroft, CB Parry Nickerson, OT Cedric Ogbuehi, DB Jamal Perry, LB Malik Reed, CB Ethan Bonner, TE Tanner Conner, LB Cameron Goode, OT Ryan Hayes, TE Elijah Higgins, WR Braylon Sanders, CB Bryce Thompson, OL Alama Uluave, CB Trill Williams, and WR Daewood Davis.

Playing primarily on special teams, Bethel has carved out a nice 10-year career as a special teams ace. A three-time Pro Bowler on special teams, Bethel appeared on 125 defensive snaps -- his most since 2017 -- but was in on 374 special teams snaps in his first year with the Dolphins. He’ll likely appear in the same role with the Dolphins in 2023.

Bethel was slated to become an unrestricted free agent. The former special teams Pro Bowler signed with the Patriots midseason after being released from Baltimore. He notched six tackles and two fumble recoveries in nine regular season games in New England, impressing coaches and beat writers along the way. Bethel is expected to be ready for offseason activities following shoulder surgery this month. Meanwhile, New England special teams great Matthew Slater is expected to test free agency.

A former Pro Bowl selection for his work on special teams, Bethel signed with the Patriots mid-season upon being released from Baltimore and notched six tackles and two fumble recoveries in nine regular season games in New England. He’s expected to be fully healthy ahead of next season — of importance since Patriots special team aces Matthew Slater and Nate Ebner are set to test the open market in March.

A core special teamer type, Bethel was cut by the Ravens on Monday. You may be shocked to learn that the Patriots play the Ravens in Week 9.

Bethel played a total of 14 defensive snaps with the Ravens after signing a one-year deal in the offseason.

Bethel didn’t see the field on defense for Atlanta last year. He’s a Pro Bowl special teamer but doesn’t add much in terms of depth.

A four-year starter for Presbyterian, Bethel is adept in coverage and also holds his own against the run. He’s coming from an extremely small school, however, and it’s unclear how he might fare against NFL-level competition. That being said, Bethel is considered a heady and extremely athletic player, and at the very least has a legitimate chance at a roster spot.

Bethel goes 6-foot, 200 pounds and ran a 4.56 at the Combine. Those are safety measurables, and Bethel projects as a core special teamer from day one after spending much of his college career as a “gunner” and “jammer” on the coverage units at Presbyterian. Bethel blocked nine kicks in college.