As he tweeted yesterday, linebacker and special teams player Nick Bellore will be returning to the Jets for the 2014 season. Bellore, who received the $1.431MM restricted free agent tender from the team several weeks ago, has accepted that tender, and will be back on a one-year contract, the team confirmed today.
Bellore, 24, has spent the first three seasons of his NFL career with the Jets. Although he has only played 18 total defensive snaps during those three seasons, he has carved out a role as the team’s top player on special teams, leading the Jets in tackles on kickoffs every year since entering the league. Pro Football Focus has his tackle count at 41, while club’s press release has him at an impressive 75 — either way, his contributions for the unit are obvious, and are worth paying him $1.431MM next season, in the Jets’ eyes.