A veteran special-teams ace and occasional fullback who has stretched a journeyman career past 15 seasons.
Nick Bellore came into the NFL out of Central Michigan and turned core special-teams work into one of the league's longest active careers. He has lined up at linebacker and fullback over the years but built his value on coverage and blocking units. Bellore played 2025 for the Washington Commanders on a deal that runs through 2026.
Path to the league
Bellore played his college football at Central Michigan before entering the NFL as a linebacker. He found his niche on special teams, a role that has kept him employed across multiple franchises. His willingness to play fullback added positional flexibility that coaches valued.
Career highlights
Bellore signed with Washington's practice squad in September 2024 and was promoted to the active roster within weeks. He logged 334 special-teams snaps that season against just seven defensive snaps, underscoring his role. The Commanders re-signed him to a two-year, $4.2 million deal in March 2025 to keep him through 2026.
2025 season
Bellore continued his special-teams work for Washington in 2025, contributing as a core coverage player. He recorded a handful of tackles and a forced fumble across his appearances. His value stayed tied to special teams rather than defensive snaps.
Sources
- NBC Sports: Core special teams player Nick Bellore re-signs with Commanders
- ESPN: Nick Bellore player page
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
16 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | commanders | 16 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | commanders | 16 | 21 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | seahawks | 16 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | seahawks | 16 | 15 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | seahawks | 17 | 15 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | seahawks | 16 | 14 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | seahawks | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | lions | 14 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | lions | 13 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 49ers | 14 | 83 | 60 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 2015 | 49ers | 16 | 17 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | jets | 16 | 15 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | jets | 16 | 17 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | jets | 16 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | jets | 16 | 19 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Central Michigan
- Hometown
- Whitefish Bay, WI, USA
- Age
- 37
- Status
- active
