Dane Belton didn’t need long to make his case at Jets-Buccaneers joint practices.
While rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik has drawn plenty of attention this summer, the buzz has shifted toward Belton, the fifth-year defensive back who spent his first four seasons with the Giants. Tuesday’s work against Tampa Bay only strengthened that momentum.
Early in practice, Belton broke up a pass, and even though Buccaneers receiver Emeka Egbuka later got past Jets safety Andre Cisco for a touchdown, the overall impression around the field was clear: Belton kept flashing. The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt made that point bluntly on X/Twitter, writing, “Dane Belton is quite clearly the Jets’ best option for No. 2 safety,” and adding, “He’s been all over the field making plays today.”
That kind of reaction is starting to feel less like camp noise and more like a real development. Belton is not some unknown trying to force his way into the conversation. The 2022 fourth-round pick put together a productive season for the Giants last year, finishing with 120 tackles, two sacks, an interception, and three forced fumbles across 17 games and nine starts.
The Jets had every reason to pay attention. Belton’s four-year body of work includes forcing 10 turnovers and recovering four fumbles, and that kind of production stands out for a team that has gone a long time without much luck creating takeaways.
Now the question is how much of that momentum carries into the preseason. Aaron Glenn said the starters will play against the Buccaneers on Friday night, but Belton’s exact workload is still unclear. He has already done enough to make a strong case for extended time with the starting defense, if the Jets choose to go that route.
At the same time, there’s always the risk factor. Glenn and the Jets have to decide whether those extra snaps are worth the chance of injury.
But by that logic, anyone projected to be on the Week 1 roster might as well stay in bubble wrap until Labor Day. Injuries can happen anywhere, whether it’s the preseason, OTAs, training camp, or the offseason.
For now, Glenn seems fully bought in. Asked about Belton, he didn’t leave much room for debate.
“He’s a ball magnet,” Glenn told reporters.
In Other News...
Aaron Glenn Addresses Frightening Jets Camp Medical Scare
A routine training camp day turned uneasy for the Jets when cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers was rushed to the hospital by ambulance after a medical scare on the sideline. The episode briefly overshadowed practice, and it quickly became the sort of moment that reminds everyone around camp how fast football can shift from ordinary reps to real concern.
Head coach Aaron Glenn addressed the situation afterward and praised the medical staff for the way they handled it, emphasizing the fast response that followed. Stiggers is still recovering in the hospital, and for the Jets the focus now is on his health first, with everything else at camp taking a back seat until there is more clarity. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Could Still Turn Two Roster Bubble Names Into Draft Value
Darren Mougey has already shown a willingness to squeeze value out of the roster churn, flipping defensive tackles Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips in deals that helped the Jets while also moving Derrick Nnadi. With cutdown day approaching, that history makes it worth watching which fringe names could be next in line if the front office decides to turn a crowded depth chart into something useful.
Two players sit near the center of that conversation: Jamaal Pritchett, the undrafted rookie wideout who flashed enough in the preseason to get noticed, and Andre Cisco, who came back on a new deal after a rocky 2025 season and a pectoral injury. Neither situation is straightforward, and the Jets still have to sort out how each fits against the rest of the roster, which leaves both players in the kind of limbo that can quietly turn into trade interest before the final cuts are made. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Practice Scare Puts Qwantez Stiggers Status In Immediate Doubt
A tense moment interrupted the Jets joint practice with the Buccaneers when cornerback Qwantez Stiggers suddenly collapsed on the sideline and had to be taken to a local hospital. It was the kind of scene that instantly shifts attention away from camp competition and toward the bigger priority, because Stiggers has been battling for a larger role while also contributing on special teams in a crowded cornerback room.
Head coach Aaron Glenn said Stiggers was conscious and talking afterward, which offered some relief after the scare, but his status remains very much in question as the Jets move through camp. For a player trying to carve out defensive snaps, even a brief medical interruption can matter, and the team will be watching closely to see how quickly he can get back on the field. [Read more 🡒]