Dane Belton Steps Into Minkah Fitzpatrick’s Role and Delivers for Aaron Glenn’s Giants

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Dane Belton Steps Into Minkah Fitzpatrick’s Role and Delivers for Aaron Glenn’s Giants

Heena Singh · Gridiron Heroics

Fri, Sep 18, 2026 ·

3 min read

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Dane Belton did not get much time to think when Minkah Fitzpatrick went down. The New York Jets needed someone to absorb a complicated role, and Belton had to learn it on the fly. Against the Tennessee Titans , he didn't just fill the snaps. He moved around the formation, communicated with Aaron Glenn, and handled responsibilities that normally belonged to one of the Jets' defensive leaders.

Now comes a much tougher test. Fitzpatrick is expected to miss a few weeks with a groin injury, and the Green Bay Packers are next. Belton's performance in Week 1 suddenly carries more weight as the Jets prepare for Jordan Love and the Packers.

Dane Belton Gives Aaron Glenn's Jets Defense Another Versatile Option

New York Giants, Dane Belton — Jul 26, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants safety Dane Belton (24) catches a pass with one hand during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-USA TODAY Sports

On September 18, Belton regularly checked in with Glenn on the sideline during the Titans game. He was taking over Fitzpatrick's role in real time, with the Jets moving him around rather than asking him to simply play one safety spot.

"In the moment it was strictly: What's my job and how do I need to accomplish it?"

That mindset helped Belton settle into a role that de manded plenty of movement. After Fitzpatrick exited in the first quarter, Belton handled snaps at free safety, in the box, and in the slot. When cornerback Jarvis Brownlee also left with an injury, the Jets leaned on that flexibility even more.

Glenn noticed it immediately. Speaking to reporters on September 15, the Jets head coach credited Belton for stepping into Fitzpatrick's responsibilities and operating without disrupting the defense. Belton finished the 23-10 win over the Titans with 50 defensive snaps. Pro Football Focus gave him a 75.8 overall grade, including a 71.9 mark in coverage and a 63.0 run-defense grade.

That performance matters because Belton already had experience handling different jobs. During four seasons with the Giants, he appeared in 66 games and made 22 starts, recording 240 tackles, 6 interceptions, and four sacks. He also had 120 tackles last season while playing a career-high 705 defensive snaps.

Fitzpatrick's absence now creates a b igger opportunity; however, the matchup gets considerably harder. The Packers bring Love and a more dangerous passing attack than the Titans offered in Week 1. Andre Cisco is expected to see increased work, while Belton should continue moving around Glenn's defense.

That versatility has already proved useful. Now it has another test. The approach is familiar to Glenn. During his time running Detroit 's defense, he built units that had to keep functioning when key starters were unavailable. Blatt noted on September 18 that the same challenge is coming again, with Green Bay next.

The Jets will need more than simply replacing Fitzpatrick's snaps. They need players who can handle his responsibilities without forcing Glenn to overhaul the defense. Belton showed in Week 1 that he can take on that challenge.

Dane Belton Gives Aaron Glenn's Jets Defense Another Versatile Option

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