 Head coach Jim Caldwell named Bethea the starting free safety to begin the regular season, along with strong safety Melvin Bullitt.In Week 5, Bethea collected a season-high 12 combined tackles (six solo) in the Colts' 28–24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.On November 6, 2011, Bethea recorded a season-high eight solo tackles and assisted on three more tackles during their 31–7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9.