Tag: Justin Bethel

Grading the Dolphins cornerbacks after their 2023 season

A look at Miami’s cornerbacks, and the year they had in 2023.

The Miami Dolphins finished their 2023 campaign with an 11-6 record and made the postseason for the second time in as many years under head coach Mike McDaniel. Unfortunately, it came to an end with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild-card round.

While other teams are in the midst of their playoff run, it’s time to do some reflecting on the team in South Florida.

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be reviewing and evaluating different positions for the Dolphins in 2023. Today, we’ll look at the cornerbacks.

News and notes heading into Dolphins-Bills matchup in Week 4

A look at some statistics for Miami before the AFC East battle.

The Miami Dolphins have a 24-hour rule, which means it’s time to move past a historical performance and look toward a monumental task, as the Dolphins head to Western New York to face the hated rival Buffalo Bills.

Sean McDermott’s team has taken four of the last five and beat Miami at home each season from 2017 through last year, including a Wild Card playoff game.

The Dolphins do lead the all-time series 61-52-1 with the Bills leading 4-1 in the postseason. Miami will be seeking their first 4-0 start to a season since 1995 and their seventh in team history including 1972, 1979, 1981, 1984 and 1992.

So far this season, the Dolphins’ offense has totaled 1,651 yards, averaging 8.4 yards per play and have generated more yardage and points through the first three games of a season than any NFL team since the AFL-NFL merger.

Miami leads the NFL in several explosive play categories, including most plays of 10+ yards and most plays of 25+ yards. Their 60 plays of 10+ yards are tied for the most in the first three games of a season since at least 2000 when the New England Patriots had 60 10+ yard plays in the first three games of 2000.

This offense is playing as prolific as any NFL team has to start three games in recent memory and even historically in the game, as they nearly broke an all-time single-game scoring record Sunday in their home opener against the Denver Broncos. They very well could have gotten a field goal and hit for 73 points, tying the record, but Mike McDaniel showed mercy and class, respectfully kneeling on the ball instead.

The Dolphins are building more momentum than seemingly ever, and here are more news and notes heading into Week 4’s pivotal contest, where Miami will enter as the AFC’s only remaining unbeaten team, joining the league’s only others – the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers.

Patriots salary cap: Tracking New England’s $18 million in dead money

Here’s where the Patriots’ dead money situation stands ahead of the 2023 season.

The New England Patriots have made it past June 1, which means the team’s salary will be less impacted by any trades or contract releases for the 2023 season.

When it comes to dead money, the Patriots are sitting at the middle of the pack in the NFL, mostly due to all of the money they had tied up in former tight end Jonnu Smith’s contract.

Dead cap is money or any guaranteed salary still being paid to players that were moved from the roster. The Patriots are currently sitting at $18,174,272 in dead money, per Over The Cap.

Here are nine former Patriots players eating up a portion of the team’s salary cap ahead of the 2023 season:

Analyzing the terms of Dolphins CB Justin Bethel’s new contract

The special teams ace made his return this offseason.

The Miami Dolphins have put forth a valiant effort this offseason when it comes to re-signing their own free agents. They entered the legal-tampering period with over 30 pending free agents, and they’ve brought back 12 for the 2023 season.

Included in those 12 is cornerback and special teams ace Justin Bethel.

According to Over the Cap, Bethel and the Dolphins agreed to a one-year deal worth roughly $1.32 million. He’s set to earn $1.17 million in base salary (none guaranteed), $75,000 in a signing bonus and $77,500 in per-game roster bonuses. His cap hit is $1.09 million.

The way this contract is structured, Bethel’s spot on the 2023 roster is far from guaranteed. If Miami wanted to cut him before the start of the season, they’d save $1.02 million and be on the hook for just $75,000 in dead cap.

With the Dolphins moving on from punter Thomas Morstead this offseason, they’re relying on Jake Bailey to lead that area of the team. Bethel’s presence, along with that of Keion Crossen, will be huge for Miami’s special teams units if they’re kept around.

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Dolphins re-sign CB Justin Bethel

Miami’s punt coverage will benefit from his return.

The Miami Dolphins, after trading for Jalen Ramsey, have a pretty complete cornerback room, but they’ve decided to bring back another member of the 2022 unit.

On Friday, the team announced that they’ve re-signed cornerback Justin Bethel.

Bethel, 32, joined Miami last September after being a surprise cut by the New England Patriots before the start of the regular season. He was a valuable contributor to the Dolphins special teams unit, as he has been with every organization he’s been a part of.

His return in 2023 will be great for new punter Jake Bailey, who is used to having Bethel covering punts for him, as they played together in New England.

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Former Patriots special teams standout Justin Bethel signs with the rival Dolphins

Justin Bethel is joining the Dolphins.

Well, the New England Patriots won’t have to wait long to see former defensive back and core special teams contributor Justin Bethel.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the former Patriot is moving on to South Beach and joining the rival Miami Dolphins. It’s the same Dolphins team the Patriots are slated to meet in the regular season-opener on September 11.

Bethel being released by the Patriots was the biggest surprise during the team’s 53-man roster cut day on Tuesday. As a vested veteran, Bethel wasn’t subject to waivers, and he could have re-signed with the team once the roster was set.

However, he put out an Instagram post that seemed to suggest he was moving on from the Patriots.

Bethel was a core special-teamer in New England, but he was ultimately pushed out by talented rookie Brenden Schooler, who could develop into a major contributor for the team in the coming years.

But the ability to land a player of Bethel’s caliber at this point is without question a win for a Dolphins team looking to lay siege to the AFC East division.

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Dolphins sign DB Justin Bethel, place Clayton Fejedelem on IR

These moves likely matter most for special teams.

After a few days of making roster moves to get down under the 53-man limit and then filling in their practice squad, the Miami Dolphins made another pair of transactions on Thursday.

According to ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques, the Dolphins have placed safety Clayton Fejedelem on injured reserve, and they’ve filled his spot by signing former New England Patriots defensive back Justin Bethel.

Fejedelem made Miami’s initial roster mainly due to his special teams ability, as he played just 16 snaps on defense last year. Bethel is also a career special teamer and could provide something as a depth cornerback if necessary. He may also bring some insight on the Patriots, as he was released by them this week.

Being placed on injured reserve means that Fejedelem must miss at least four games, so he could return for Week 5.

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Every NFL team’s most surprising roster cut

Highlighting the most shocking roster cut for each NFL team.

With the preseason in the books, every NFL team has now trimmed their roster to the league–mandated 53 players. While these rosters will certainly undergo changes over the next couple of days, each team has their initial 53-man roster set.

But when going from 80 to 53 players, there are some tough calls NFL general managers have to make in the process. And there were certainly some shocking moves across the league during the final roster cuts, which should make for some interesting moves on the waiver wire.

We’ve rounded up our NFL Wires editors to highlight the most surprising roster cut from every NFL team.

Justin Bethel’s social media post indicates he’s done with Patriots

Justin Bethel posts his goodbyes on social media.

Defensive back and special teamer Justin Bethel has likely played his last snap of football for the New England Patriots.

The 32-year-old veteran was informed of his release by the team ahead of Tuesday’s roster cut deadline, where teams were tasked with trimming their rosters down to 53 players.

It was a surprising move by the Patriots considering the value Bethel added as a core member on special teams, along with his ability to step in and play on defense.

He isn’t subject to waivers after his release. So there’s still a possibility he could re-sign with the Patriots after they’ve created roster space. But after his recent social media post, it’s more likely that he’s moving on and bidding farewell to his three-year tenure in New England.

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One has to wonder if the sudden emergence of former undrafted rookie free agent Brendan Schooler had anything to do with the Patriots’ decision to release Bethel.

The team is obviously making an effort to get younger. There is plenty of youth in the defensive backfield, and Schooler has shown flashes of being an up-and-coming special teams ace.

Granted, that doesn’t mean another team won’t be buzzing up Bethel’s phone at some point. There are still teams out there that could certainly use his services.

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Patriots make their first surprise cut with Justin Bethel release

Patriots make their first surprise cut of the day.

The New England Patriots are releasing defensive back and core special teams member Justin Bethel, per ESPN’s Field Yates.

It’s the first truly surprising move made by the Patriots ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man roster cut deadline.

Bethel has been with the team since 2019, and his versatility, particularly with his special teams contributions, has consistently earned him a spot on the roster.

But things have obviously changed this season.

Perhaps the sudden emergence of undrafted rookie free agent Brendan Schooler played a role in the Patriots’ decision to move on from Bethel at this point.

It’s also important to keep in mind that Bethel isn’t subject to waivers after being released. So theoretically, he could re-sign with the Patriots at some point.

The opportunity will also be there for him to test the market and sign with another team. There will certainly be interested suitors out there looking to give the veteran special-teamer a new home.

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