Justin Bethel, born on June 17, 1990, is an American football cornerback and special teamer currently playing for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL).
The Arizona Cardinals drafted him in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft and has since played for several teams, including the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, and New England Patriots, before joining the Dolphins.
You can find Justin Bethel’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, and more here.
About Justin Bethel
Justin Andrew Bethel was born in Sumter, South Carolina, and moved to Columbia at 6 with his family. He started playing football in the sixth grade.
College Career
During his college career at Presbyterian College, Bethel significantly impacted the field. He finished his final year averaging 6.6 tackles per game in league play, the third most in the league.
NFL Career
The Arizona Cardinals drafted Bethel in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He has had a notable career in the NFL, playing for several teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, and the Miami Dolphins.
Bethel has been recognized for his exceptional performance on the field, earning the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week and Player of the Month awards during his time with the Cardinals. He has also made significant contributions to the teams he has played for, including recovering fumbles and blocking field goals.
Justin Bethel’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Justin Bethel’s net worth is estimated to be $15 million. The cornerback’s prime sources of earnings are his NFL salaries, endorsements, and sponsorship deals.
Contract and Salary
In 2023, Justin Bethel signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins. His 2023 salary cap charge is $1,017,500, which is 0.45% of the cap. His cash payout for the year is $1,242,500, which is 0.50% of the spending.
Bethel’s one-year contract with the Dolphins is worth $1,317,500, with a total guarantee of $77,500. His average salary is $1,317,500.
Career Earnings
Here is a table of Bethel’s career earnings over the years.
| Year | Team | Base Salary | Prorated Bonus | Roster Bonus | Per Game Roster Bonus | Guaranteed Salary | Cap Number | Cap % | Cash Paid |
| 2012 | Cardinals | $390,000 | $28,556 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $418,556 | 0.3% | $504,224 |
| 2013 | Cardinals | $480,000 | $28,556 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $508,556 | 0.4% | $480,000 |
| 2014 | Cardinals | $570,000 | $28,556 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $598,556 | 0.4% | $570,000 |
| 2015 | Cardinals | $660,000 | $778,556 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,438,556 | 1.0% | $3,660,000 |
| 2016 | Cardinals | $1,000,000 | $750,000 | $1,500,000 | $0 | $2,500,000 | $3,250,000 | 2.0% | $2,500,000 |
| 2017 | Cardinals | $2,000,000 | $1,500,000 | $0 | $0 | $2,000,000 | $3,500,000 | 2.0% | $2,000,000 |
| 2018 | Falcons | $850,000 | $400,000 | $0 | $500,000 | $0 | $1,750,000 | 1.0% | $1,750,000 |
| 2019 | Patriots | $930,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $547,059 | 0.3% | $547,059 |
| 2020 | Patriots | $1,500,000 | $0 | $0 | $500,000 | $0 | $2,000,000 | 0.9% | $2,000,000 |
| 2021 | Patriots | $1,200,000 | $333,333 | $0 | $400,000 | $1,200,000 | $1,909,804 | 0.9% | $2,600,000 |
| 2022 | Dolphins | $1,120,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $895,000 | 0.4% | $1,120,000 |
| 2023 | Dolphins | $1,165,000 | $77,500 | $0 | $77,500 | $0 | $1,017,500 | 0.5% | $1,242,500 |
| Total | – | $11,865,000 | $3,925,057 | $1,500,000 | $1,477,500 | $5,700,000 | $17,833,587 | – | $18,973,7834 |
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Justin Andrew Bethel |
| Birth Date | June 17, 1990 |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in |
| Birthplace | Sumter, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Current Net Worth | $15 million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Breanna Bethel |
| Instagram Profile | @jbet26 |
Wife
Cornerback Justin Bethel’s gorgeous wife is Breanna. Justin proposed to Breanna on February 27, 2019, marking the beginning of their engagement. They got married on March 16, 2020, at The Resort At Pelican Hill. They have a daughter together.
Breanna Bethel, formerly Breanna Sims, has been with Justin since his days with the Atlanta Falcons. She is an NPC Bikini competitor, showcasing her dedication to fitness and health.
Career Statistics
| Year | Team | Games Played | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Assisted Tackles | Sacks | Fumbles | Interceptions | Touchdowns |
| 2012 | Arizona Cardinals | 16 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | Arizona Cardinals | 16 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | Arizona Cardinals | 16 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | Arizona Cardinals | 16 | 43 | 41 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2016 | Arizona Cardinals | 16 | 38 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | Arizona Cardinals | 16 | 38 | 28 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2018 | Atlanta Falcons | 14 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | New England Patriots | 9 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Baltimore Ravens | 7 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | New England Patriots | 16 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | New England Patriots | 17 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Miami Dolphins | 17 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Miami Dolphins | 4 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | – | 180 | 234 | 213 | 21 | 0.5 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
FAQs
1. Who is Justin Bethel?
Justin Bethel is a retired NFL cornerback and special teams player born on June 17, 1990, in Sumter, South Carolina. He played college football at Presbyterian College and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He earned three Pro Bowl honors during his career.
2. What are Justin Bethel’s notable achievements in the NFL?
Bethel was a three-time Pro Bowler (2013–2015) for his exceptional special teams performance. He recorded 282 tackles, five interceptions, and played in 193 games over 12 seasons with teams including the Cardinals, Falcons, Ravens, Patriots, and Dolphins.
3. What records did Justin Bethel set in college football?
While at Presbyterian College, Bethel became the all-time leader in Big South Conference history for blocked kicks and career solo blocks. He also led his team in tackles and interceptions during his senior year and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.
4. Why is Justin Bethel considered one of the best special teams players?
Bethel’s ability to block kicks and make impactful plays on punt and kickoff units earned him widespread recognition as one of the NFL’s top special teams players. His knack for blocking kicks was evident both in college and throughout his professional career.
5. What inspired Justin Bethel to pursue football?
Bethel began playing football in sixth grade after encouragement from a friend who played quarterback on a local team. Despite initially considering other careers like culinary arts, his talent on the field led him to pursue football professionally.
6. What role did Justin Bethel play for the Arizona Cardinals?
Bethel primarily excelled as a special teams player for the Cardinals but also contributed as a cornerback. In 2015, he signed a three-year contract extension and became a starting nickelback after Tyrann Mathieu’s injury late in the season.
7. Did Justin Bethel pursue any interests outside of football?
Yes, Bethel has interests in music, cooking, and modeling. He played drums since childhood, took culinary classes in high school, and even participated in New York Fashion Week as a model before retiring from football.
8. When did Justin Bethel retire from football?
Justin Bethel announced his retirement on January 9, 2025, after not playing during the 2024 season. He expressed gratitude for his 12-year professional career and stated he looks forward to new opportunities beyond football.
9. What was Justin Bethel’s impact on Presbyterian College football?
Bethel was one of Presbyterian College’s most accomplished players, earning multiple All-Conference honors and becoming its first athlete invited to both the East-West Shrine Game and NFL Scouting Combine. His success paved the way for future recognition of small-college athletes.
10. How many teams did Justin Bethel play for during his NFL career?
Bethel played for five teams: Arizona Cardinals (six seasons), Atlanta Falcons (one season), Baltimore Ravens (seven games), New England Patriots (two seasons), and Miami Dolphins (two seasons).
