Aaron Glenn Praises Dane Belton’s Performance

After last week’s 23-10 victory over the Titans, Aaron Glenn highlighted Dane Belton’s contributions, even though Belton wasn’t the game’s standout player.

He stepped up when Minkah Fitzpatrick injured his groin during the first quarter, taking over Fitzpatrick’s position as strong safety while Andre Cisco filled in at free safety.

Later in the game, Belton also adapted to the nickel position following an injury to Jarvis Brownlee Jr.

Belton explained, “It was a spur of the moment understanding that my role or responsibilities are going to change just from different plays or different personnel. I wasn’t worried or uncomfortable. It’s something I felt very comfortable doing; it’s something I’ve done throughout my career and back in college, where I mostly played nickel. I worked on that position during the spring and training camp.”

He noted that even though it was Fitzpatrick’s role for the week, his awareness of the defense’s dynamics and coverages helped him adapt smoothly. Belton felt he could seamlessly plug into various roles, saying, “It was definitely a moment we weren’t expecting, but I was ready to step up.”

With Fitzpatrick sidelined for this week’s match against the Packers, the Jets face a bit of a challenge. His absence may affect a secondary that was relying on his experience.

Glenn expressed confidence in the rest of the team, noting, “We have other experienced guys too. That’s a positive for us, especially with Cisco’s extensive experience in the league. He’s proven to be a solid player. And then, as I mentioned, Dane impressed me with how quickly he can adapt to a role similar to Minkah’s, playing the big nickel and safety.”