What is the case against Bellinger

Not sure this is the general consensus, but this is my own personal observation that I've reiterated several times on BBI. When Daniel Bellinger catches the ball with his back to the defense, it takes a very long time for him to turn up field and get his chassis into gear. He seemed to be somewhat more fluid before his serious rookie year injury. But, today, he's a very slow mover.

I hope they keep him. Decent blocker with good hands.

… but even pre-injury he wasn’t fluid enough to translate gym numbers onto the field. I like him as a versatile backup, and his reliable hands are a welcome contrast to Theo Johnson. He just doesn’t offer anything special as a starter. If they can retain him for two years at something close to Manhertz-type money (i.e. #3 TE payscale), I’m all for it. I don’t think Charlie Kolar would be much of an upgrade, and he’ll be more expensive.

his skill set is limited, he's a mediocre depth guy. he should be kept around and compensated accordingly.

Other than that he's fine.

?

No YAC due to being very stiff, slow and lacking agility. Not a great athlete but a serviceable 3rd TE.

They drafted Fidone and also have Johnson. There is a chance they re-sign him if the price is right. However, I could see them brining in Kolar or Ricard to fit the style Harbaugh wants to run.

I have heard Isaiah Likely isn’t a Harbaugh fan so he probably isn’t coming here.

Bellinger is a solid player. They just might want to go in a different direction.

Can play inline and H back. He basically fit right into the Kaden smith role. Shame that Smith had the knee injury because we actually found a productive cheap athletic tight end. They tried Ellison who was washed. Bellinger should come back relatively cheap and offers depth. He’s a solid TE2. I just hope Theo can make the jump this year and get some more consistent hands.

He's basically a backup TE. They don't get big contracts.

Also, I think TE's are more central to a Harbaugh Offense (and certainly think Kelce in KC).

I could see them drafting a TE and it's possible there isn't a huge drop off between Fidone and Bellinger plus Fidone (who may just get cut anyway) has excellent size and wingspan.

I also think Bellinger was noticably better before that freak eye injury.

There is no case against him. If you are trying to argue he should be our starting TE, then the question for you is, what is the case for that?

want to re-read Sy's game reviews of Bellinger.

40 other tight ends that do the exact same thing as him in the league. There are six round TES in the upcoming draft that could produce similar numbers

"we should be able to do better" a valid case?

for half the price.

Factor in the cost to re-sign him, and players such as Wandale and Slayton for examples, and this is precisely where the Giants must improve their self-scouting and be honest with themselves. Draft their replacements and let them go.

and continued that when they got Johnson.

The first year with Bellinger they were finding all kinds of ways to use him as a part of the offense before the eye injury.. and he came BACK from that injury in the same year.

They relegated him to a back up position and kept him there.

likely gone, but I like him better than Johnson. He has better hands and is therefore more reliable.

During the Daboll tenure. None have improved beyond their rookie year success. I think he has potential to be a solid contributor like he was as a rookie.

I think we should bring him back because he won’t cost a lot and we can’t replace draft picks over and over without getting a return.

Maybe it's that high because he averages fewer than 2 targets per game over his career and defenses don't pay attention to him.

Harold Fannin Jr is one of four TEs who had more targets in 2025 than Bellinger has in his entire career.

In comment 17097473 Tom in DC said:

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"we should be able to do better" a valid case?

NOTHING is more valid than that question. It should be asked about every 53.

but he's one of those players that could be here for the next 5 years, even improving along the way, or he could be gone this time next year. I doubt the latter but who knows. Theo has more time left on his contract. Maybe NYG want more AA and wiggle at the TE spot or maybe they like both guys. Both guys can block.

I would keep an open mind with every NYG player here. Some players we never saw coming will shine while some other players who we thought were firmly entrenched will be gone before week 1. Everything and anything can happen. There will be holdovers here I hope Bellinger is one of them.

In comment 17097484 Sy'56 said:

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for half the price.

I assume he's a FA this off-season? That's a big factor. Theo is signed and basically does everything Bellinger can do although you could make a case Theo's hands aren't as reliable, splitting hairs.

the guy to steal in FA is Kyle Pitts. I doubt NYG sign some super priced FA WR but I guess that's on the table. I'd rather sign the guy on the way up who hasn't peaked and won't cost peak prices. Getting Pitts in here with Dart and Harbaugh is enticing. Theo can block. Two TE sets becomes a legit focal point here.

is "boring" but solid/average. He seems to always be in the right place, I would guess his game tape would suggest he does what he's asked to do well but not much else. Don't know how much you want to send on a guy with very little upside but Harbaugh may see value in "solid" and consistent.

and he's decent depth who showed some signs of awakening, but keep the expectations low.

In comment 17097667 DanMetroMan said:

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is "boring" but solid/average. He seems to always be in the right place, I would guess his game tape would suggest he does what he's asked to do well but not much else. Don't know how much you want to send on a guy with very little upside but Harbaugh may see value in "solid" and consistent.

It's going to be one interesting off-season. I forgot Bell is a FA (assuming he is 4 year contract as a 4th rounder drafted in 22)

Even if NYG could get Bell on the cheap is he really going to want to be the clear cut 2nd or even 3rd TE here? Probably not, and he may get a bigger deal elsewhere.

OFf-season will be quite revealing.

In comment 17097672 JonC said:

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and he's decent depth who showed some signs of awakening, but keep the expectations low.

Something to be said for consistency. I don't think there is much/if any additional upside so if somebody else does, then I'd just let him walk. But he's not a "bad" player.

In comment 17097679 djm said:

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In comment 17097667 DanMetroMan said: Quote: is "boring" but solid/average. He seems to always be in the right place, I would guess his game tape would suggest he does what he's asked to do well but not much else. Don't know how much you want to send on a guy with very little upside but Harbaugh may see value in "solid" and consistent. It's going to be one interesting off-season. I forgot Bell is a FA (assuming he is 4 year contract as a 4th rounder drafted in 22) Even if NYG could get Bell on the cheap is he really going to want to be the clear cut 2nd or even 3rd TE here? Probably not, and he may get a bigger deal elsewhere. OFf-season will be quite revealing.

Harbaugh talked up Theo Johnson. I'm not really sure what the benefit is unless he actually feels that way. What that means in terms of how he views the overall TE position when it comes to the Giants is a ? I'd be surprised if the Giants run it back with Theo and Bellinger without at least using a mid-round pick or signing another "Bellinger level" TE.

What bellinger does and the easily replaceable crowd is wrong. Playing H back is not easy. He did it very well. He’s great blocking on the move. Theo is a better inline blocker but he is too lumbering and slow to play in the backfield and it was glaringly obvious last year. Theo is a slow mover takes time for him to get going off the Los. To me the cost to resign bellinger plus the value he brings will be well worth the price. He will cost nothing and Theo and fidone are on rookie deals.

But I think the Johnson, Bellinger, and Manhertz TE room is fine. All 3 guys are pros and each have a specific role. Not every team is going to have a Travis Kelce or Brock Bowers type weapon.


If Bellinger accepts a reasonable contract, bring him back.

You're not going to have superstars at every position but you need football players at every position. Bellinger is a football player. Almost every time he's been asked to do something on the field he's gone out there and got it done. You would be hard pressed to say that either Waller or Johnson have contributed more as starters than Bollinger has. Lest we forget click the link.
The Flip - ( New Window )

on a rookie contract. I don’t like him on a bigger second contract.

If they can bring him back cheap, he’s quality depth.

His shortcomings are that he’s not above average at anything. He’ll never be a focal point of your offense. Not fluid, doesn’t get open outside of play design that leaves him unguarded. As a TE2, that is fine. But if your TE1 goes down, you are somewhat limited with Belli.

In comment 17097829 Paul326 said:

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You're not going to have superstars at every position but you need football players at every position. Bellinger is a football player. Almost every time he's been asked to do something on the field he's gone out there and got it done. You would be hard pressed to say that either Waller or Johnson have contributed more as starters than Bollinger has. Lest we forget click the link. The Flip - ( New Window )

Not sure how you can watch Theo and Bellinger and have that takeaway. Theo is not perfect, obviously is a frustrating guy. But he’s much better as a blocker, and offers receiving ability that Bellinger does not have.

There were about 10 plays down the field that Theo made this year that Bellinger simply cannot make (unless he is completely turned loose by the Defense like he was vs DEN)

but he is the one that fits the Yankees the best this winter. Good bat and solid fielder at multiple positions along with being a former MVP rounding back into form makes him a bit expensive. However, they did a good job of not letting his agent make them bid against themselves into giving him a longer contract.


P.S. Why isn't this a NFT?

I think we should keep him