 On July 11, 2010, the Indianapolis Colts signed Bethea to a four-year, $27 million contract that includes an $8 million signing bonus.Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer retained Bethea and Sanders the starting safety duo to begin the 2010 regular season.Bethea started in the Indianapolis Colts season-opener at the Houston Texans and collected a 13 combined tackles (eight solo) and a pass deflection in their 34–24 loss.