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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 21: Kaleb Johnson #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball in front of Andre Cisco #8 of the New York Jets during the third quarter of a preseason game at Acrisure Stadium on August 21, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The tide has turned.
Ahead of the New York Jets versus Pittsburgh Steelers game, Brian Costello of the New York Post noted that Dane Belton had replaced Andre Cisco in the starting lineup at safety. The other starting safety alongside Belton was Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Beat reporter Nick Faria of the Jets on SI team said Belton is the “leader” in the clubhouse to beat out Cisco for a starting nod in Week 1.
“This contest hasn’t been so much a position battle as it has been a domination by one player. Dane Belton was signed in free agency after a breakout performance the previous year with the Giants. New York wanted him to compete for the starting job opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick with Andre Cisco,” Faria wrote.
“Through two preseason games and weeks of camp, Belton is firmly in command of winning the job. His physicality, tackling ability, and improved coverage skills have caught New York’s eye. Cisco did come through with an interception during the Jets’ preseason win on Friday, but his role seems to be best served as the third safety in the defense. Not as an every-down starter,” Faria explained.
This Isn’t the Last of Cisco
Things may not look good for Cisco right now, but don’t write him off just yet.
Robby Sabo of Jets X-Factor said, “I know Cisco has become somewhat of a tough name for Jets fans recently, and they wanna see Dane Belton take his starting spot. I get it, but it doesn’t work for this reason: Belton is a LOW safety only, and Glenn wants to use Minkah LOW. Cisco = centerfielder. That’s why.”
ESPN’s Rich Cimini responded to that post by saying, “Great point by Robby. Ultimately, I think Cisco and Belton will play, along with Fitzpatrick. You will see some three-safety looks.”
I’ve attended two of the Jets’ training camp practices so far this offseason. In both of those examples, the Jets heavily used three safety looks. When that lineup was called, the three safeties were Cisco, Fitzpatrick, and Belton.
Malachi Moore served as a rotational piece and someone to come in to provide a breather. NFL Insider Matt Lombardo told me on “Boy Green Daily” that the joint practices are the things you can get the most information out of. One of the two practices I attended was the joint practice against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cisco displayed his superpower during Week 2 of the preseason. The former Syracuse product appeared to be reading the quarterback and jumped the pass for the interception. It was one of two picks on the day for the Jets’ defense.
“First Jets INT since Malachi Moore on Aug. 22, 2025. He picked off Kyle McCord in New York’s preseason finale against the Eagles. New York did not have an INT in the regular season last year — first team in NFL history,” NFL Insider Connor Hughes posted.
Belton’s Story
Belton, 25, entered the league as the No. 114 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. He spent the first four years of his career with the Giants.
Throughout his tenure with the G-Men, Belton has mostly operated as a role player and special teams ace. However, the Jets are giving him the chance to be a starter.
Belton has started 22 contests in his career. This offseason, he signed a one-year $4 million contract to join the cross-town rival Jets.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
