Former Pro Bowl cornerback Malcolm Butler announced his retirement from the NFL on Sunday, marking the end of an eventful seven-year career. Originally undrafted out of West Alabama in 2014, Butler rose to fame after intercepting Russell Wilson in the final minute of Super Bowl XLIX, sealing the victory for the New England Patriots. He played four seasons with New England before three years in Nashville with the Tennessee Titans. In 100 NFL games, Butler posted 406 tackles, three sacks, five forced fumbles, 17 interceptions, and 83 passes defended. He did not play a single snap after the 2020 campaign, but he did not officially retire until now.
Former Pro Bowl cornerback Malcolm Butler flew to Atlanta on Tuesday and will try out for the Falcons on Wednesday, according to a source. Butler hasn't played in a regular season game since 2020 but has worked out and signed contracts with teams over the last two years. The 33-year-old defensive back last made 16 starts for the Tennessee Titans in 2020 and had a career-high 100 tackles (86 solo), a career-high-tying four interceptions and 14 passes defensed. It remains to be seen how much he has left in the tank, though, and he'll strictly represent secondary depth in Atlanta for the start of the 2023 season if he signs with the team after his tryout this week.
The New England Patriots released cornerback Malcolm Butler (undisclosed) from Injured Reserve with an injury settlement on Thursday. Butler can now sign with another team and play in 2022. The 32-year-old veteran will be hoping to latch on with another team, but it remains to be seen if he's even healthy enough to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. Butler spent 2021 with the Arizona Cardinals but briefly retired in the summer. In three prior seasons with the Tennessee Titans, he recorded 171 solo tackles, one sack, six tackles for loss, nine interceptions (two for touchdowns), 35 passes defensed and one forced fumble in 41 games (36 starts). There's a chance that the former Super Bowl champion could hang up his cleats for good this year.
New England Patriots defensive back Malcolm Butler (undisclosed) has been placed on Injured Reserve. The 32-year-old will see his season end before it even begins. Joejuan Williams (shoulder) will also be placed on the injured reserve, so the Patriots are out two defensive backs. Butler was attempting a comeback after not being in the league during the 2021 season. Honestly, Terrance Mitchell and Jack Jones were looking like better options than Butler anyway. This will somewhat hurt the Patriots secondary, but fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned about the Patriots defense declining without them.
Former New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler signed a two-year deal worth up to $9 million with the Patriots on Wednesday, according to his agent. Butler began his career in New England in 2014 and spent four years with the team before playing three seasons with the Tennessee Titans from 2018-20. The 32-year-old was out of football last season but will come out of retirement to return to the Pats. He'll have a chance to reclaim a starting role with New England in a secondary that includes Jalen Mills and Jonathan Jones. A Pro Bowler in 2015, Butler had a career-high 100 tackles (86 solo), four interceptions and 14 passes defensed in 16 starts for the Titans in 2020. If he plays at that level again in his return to the Patriots, Butler could be on the IDP radar in deeper leagues.
The Houston Texans are visiting with free-agent cornerback Malcolm Butler on Friday, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly. Butler retired last year while with the Arizona Cardinals due to personal reasons. The former Pro Bowler in 2015 and Super Bowl hero with the New England Patriots last played in 2020 with the Tennessee Titans, when he recorded 100 tackles (86 solo), a career-high-tying four interceptions and 14 passes defensed in 16 games. The 32-year-old is an experienced defensive back with great ball skills, and he could give the Texans secondary a boost if he signs. Meanwhile, the Texas are working to re-sign cornerback Desmond King, according to sources. King was shifted from the slot to the outside in 2021, but he could return to the nickel spot if he's back this season.
The Arizona Cardinals have decided to move on from defensive back Malcolm Butler. He didn't play during the 2021 season due to a personal matter. He was released from the reserve/retired list, so he can pursue a new organization in 2022. The former Pro Bowl defensive back should be able to find another team willing to give him a chance. In 2020, Butler finished with 100 tackles and 14 passes defended in 16 games with the Tennessee Titans. The veteran defensive back should be able to get another job this offseason.
Malcolm Butler 'Mulling Retirement' Amidst Personal Situation
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Malcolm Butler "is dealing with a personal situation that has him mulling retirement," according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. While further details are unknown, Butler has been away from the team for several days. The Super Bowl-winning cornerback joined Arizona this offseason after four seasons with the Patriots and three with the Titans. He made 16 starts in 2020, logging four interceptions while defending 14 passes. He also accrued 100 tackles, including one for a loss. According to the team's unofficial depth chart, the 31-year-old is currently listed as the projected starting cornerback in Arizona. However, if Butler were to retire, the Cardinals could turn to Robert Alford or possibly explore the free-agent market.
The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler on an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday. Butler figures to immediately slot in as the team's top cornerback after the departure of Patrick Peterson in free agency. The 31-year-old Butler started in all 16 games for the Titans last season and had four interceptions. In his seven-year NFL career, he has 17 interceptions. Butler also posted a career-high 100 tackles in 2020, along with 14 passes defensed. Byron Murphy will serve as Arizona's slot corner in 2021, with Robert Alford, who missed the last two seasons due to injuries, battling for the No. 2 job across from Butler.
Cornerback Malcolm Butler was released by the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday, voiding the final two years of what was originally a five-year pact. The move can be viewed as a cost-cutting measure, albeit one that comes after Butler started all 16 regular-season contests and accrued a career-high 100 tackles last season. Butler's release paves the way for Kristian Fulton and Adoree' Jackson to take over as Tennessee's primary corners, with the team banking on being able to replace Butler's production in order to reallocate funds elsewhere. After having compiled 14 passes defended and four interceptions last year, Butler shouldn't have much difficulty finding a new home for 2021, where he'll likely be utilized as a top corner heading into his age-31 campaign.
