Bethel made a living in the NFL off of his special teams abilities through 12 seasons. He only started 15 career games at defensive back, but was a three-time Pro Bowler for special teams on the Cardinals. Bethel spent the first six seasons of his career with Arizona and bounced around between the Falcons, Ravens, Patriots, and Dolphins for his final six seasons. He did not have a team for the 2024 season, making the Dolphins his last team after 17 games with them in 2023. Finishing his NFL career with 282 combined tackles, Bethel’s NFL legacy remains one of special teams utility.

Bethel is a special teams expert who is set to enter his 11th NFL season. If he’s on a roster in 2023, it most likely won’t be the Dolphins, after the team made him a part of their cuts to trim the roster down to 53 players. In addition to Bethel, the Dolphins also released/waived WR Robbie Chosen, RB Myles Gaskin, DT Da’Shawn Hand, TE Tyler Kroft, CB Parry Nickerson, OT Cedric Ogbuehi, DB Jamal Perry, LB Malik Reed, CB Ethan Bonner, TE Tanner Conner, LB Cameron Goode, OT Ryan Hayes, TE Elijah Higgins, WR Braylon Sanders, CB Bryce Thompson, OL Alama Uluave, CB Trill Williams, and WR Daewood Davis.

Playing primarily on special teams, Bethel has carved out a nice 10-year career as a special teams ace. A three-time Pro Bowler on special teams, Bethel appeared on 125 defensive snaps -- his most since 2017 -- but was in on 374 special teams snaps in his first year with the Dolphins. He'll likely appear in the same role with the Dolphins in 2023.

Bethel was slated to become an unrestricted free agent. The former special teams Pro Bowler signed with the Patriots midseason after being released from Baltimore. He notched six tackles and two fumble recoveries in nine regular season games in New England, impressing coaches and beat writers along the way. Bethel is expected to be ready for offseason activities following shoulder surgery this month. Meanwhile, New England special teams great Matthew Slater is expected to test free agency.