 Bethea entered training camp slated as the "de facto" starter at strong safety.Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky officially named Bethea the starting strong safety to start the regular season, opposite free safety LaRon Landry.Bethea started in the Indianapolis Colts' season-opener against the Oakland Raiders and recorded 11 combined tackles (six solo), a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Terrelle Pryor in their 21–17 victory.