Malcolm Butler - Pro Football Rumors

Malcolm Butler Visiting Texans

March 11th, 2022 at 1:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

After spending all of the 2021 campaign away from football, Malcolm Butler is taking a step towards a comeback today. Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson reports that the veteran corner is visiting the Texans.

The 32-year-old stepped away from the Cardinals just before the start of the campaign, citing personal reasons. That seemed to mark an abrupt end to a career which includes a Pro Bowl and two Super Bowls – one of which, of course, is most remembered for the game-winning interception he was responsible for.

After four seasons with the Patriots, including three as a starter, the former UDFA joined the Titans. His third and final campaign in Nashville, 2020, was his most productive; Butler racked up 100 tackles, four interceptions and 14 pass breakups. To save cap space and get out of another two years on his contract, however, the team released him last March.

Given his age and pedigree, Butler could add at least a useful, experienced piece to a Houston secondary which ranked 23rd against the pass in 2021. On that point, Wilson further reports that the Texans are “working to retain” fellow veteran CB Desmond King. The pending free agent signed a one-year deal last offseason, and played well enough (despite shifting to the outside, as opposed to his more natural slot position) to warrant a new deal.

The Texans are also working out free agent corner Isaac Yiadom, according to ESPN’s Field Yates (Twitter link). The 26-year-old has spent four seasons in the NFL, most recently in Green Bay where he almost exclusively played on special teams.

Cardinals Release Malcolm Butler From Reserve/Retired List; CB Considering Comeback

February 17th, 2022 at 3:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Malcolm Butler did not play in 2021, informing the Cardinals of a retirement decision just before the season began. While the Cards previously held Butler’s rights, the former Super Bowl hero is unattached again.

The Cardinals released Butler from their reserve-retired list Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. This might not be a formality, with Rapoport adding the veteran cover man is considering a comeback. Butler has been working out regularly in preparation for a likely return, per NFL.com’s Mike Giardi (on Twitter).

Arizona defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said just before last season a Butler comeback remained in play, but he stayed retired. Butler will turn 32 in two weeks. His retirement decision left the Cardinals shorthanded on the outside last season, though Robert Alford‘s return after two injury-nixed years helped the playoff-qualifying team’s cause. Alford is now on track for free agency.

Prior to the late-summer retirement, Butler logged seven NFL seasons and did well for himself financially despite arriving in the league as a UDFA. The Patriots slapped a first-round RFA tender on Butler in 2017, and the Titans gave him a five-year, $61.25MM deal in 2018 as a free agent. Tennessee bailed on that contract last March. Arizona signed Butler to a one-year, $3.25MM accord weeks later.

Cardinals DC: Malcolm Butler Could Return

September 9th, 2021 at 1:13pm CST by Zachary Links

Even after placing him on the reserve/retired list, Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph won’t rule out a Malcolm Butler return (Twitter link via Darren Urban of the team website). Joseph added that he spoke with Butler as recently as last week, a sign that he could retake the field at some point this year.

Butler has not disclosed his reasons for walking away, but Joseph said it has to do with personal matters rather than his on-field play. That checks out, considering the 31-year-old finished 2020 as Pro Football Focus’ No. 15 ranked corner in the NFL. It was a strong comeback after he missed much of 2019. All in all, he finished with four interceptions and 100 total tackles — a new career high — while playing a full 16-game slate. He also wrapped with the lowest yards-per-completion and yards-per-target numbers of his Tennessee tenure.

Butler was expected to play a key role in Arizona’s secondary after inking a fully guaranteed $3.25MM deal with Arizona. Without him, they’ll be leaning more on Byron Murphy, rookie fourth-round pick Marco Wilson, and Robert Alford for coverage.

Cardinals Place Malcolm Butler On Reserve/Retired List

August 31st, 2021 at 4:43pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

It appears Malcolm Butler may really be walking away from the game. The Cardinals have placed the veteran corner on the reserve/retired list, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

We heard yesterday that Butler was mulling retirement, and it looks like he’s made up his mind. It was reported yesterday that the former Patriot and Titan was “dealing with a personal situation,” although details were light. All we know is that Butler has been away from the team recently. Apparently both retirement and “stepping away” were both options, so it’s possible this isn’t anything permanent.

Butler is of course known for his Super Bowl heroics with the Patriots, and he spent the last three seasons in Tennessee. Even though he was cut by the Titans this offseason, he received strong marks from Pro Football Focus for his work in 2020. He landed a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth $3.25MM from Arizona, and was expected to be a starter on Vance Joseph’s defense.

The last minute change of plans will leave the Cards a bit undermanned in their secondary after they let longtime starter Patrick Peterson walk this offseason. It looks like fourth-round rookie Marco Wilson or veteran Robert Alford will now be counted on to start in Butler’s place.

Of course, we all hope that whatever Butler is dealing with off the field isn’t anything too bad, and we wish him well with whatever his future holds.

Cardinals CB Malcolm Butler Mulling Retirement

August 30th, 2021 at 6:46pm CST by Ben Levine

Cardinals cornerback Malcolm Butler is considering hanging up his cleats. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports (via Twitter) that the veteran is “dealing with a personal situation that has him mulling retirement.”

As Garofolo notes, the situation led to Butler being away from team facilities within the last week. The cornerback is still trying to work his way through the situation, and both retirement or “stepping away from the game” remain options. The Cardinals did not provide a comment to Garafolo, while the player’s agent didn’t respond to calls.

After getting cut by the Titans earlier this offseason, Butler inked a fully guaranteed $3.25MM deal with the Cardinals. The 31-year-old was expected to play a key role in Arizona’s secondary. If the veteran does indeed step away from the game, the team could be forced to turn to rookie fourth-round pick Marco Wilson or veteran Robert Alford to fill in as a starter.

Butler, 31, finished 2020 as Pro Football Focus’ No. 15 corner in the NFL. It was a strong return — he missed much of 2019, but he suited up for all 16 games last year while nabbing four interceptions and 100 total tackles (a new career high). All in all, he posted the lowest yards-per-completion and yards-per-target numbers of his Tennessee tenure.

Malcolm Butler, A.J. Bouye Expressed Interest In Joining Cowboys

April 12th, 2021 at 6:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the draft approaches, cornerback continues to be a need area for the Cowboys. While they re-signed Jourdan Lewis this offseason, the Cowboys received interest from multiple veterans with more experience.

Both Malcolm Butler and A.J. Bouye expressed an interest in joining the Cowboys, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram notes, and each third-contract-seeking vet was willing to take a discount to do so. However, Dallas was not open to that prospect — even at lower rates than the corners ended up signing for — and moved on, Hill adds.

The Titans and Broncos, respectively, made Butler and Bouye cap casualties this offseason. Butler ended up signing a one-year, $3.25MM deal with the Cardinals. Bouye joined the Panthers late last week, agreeing to a two-year, $7MM pact. Butler’s contract is fully guaranteed, while Bouye will receive $3.5MM fully guaranteed. That will tie him to the Panthers for the 2021 season. These third contracts represent steep downgrades. Butler, 31, signed a five-year, $61.25MM deal with the Titans in 2018; Bouye, 29, landed with the Jaguars on a five-year, $67.5MM deal in 2017. They joined many free agents in taking major discounts this offseason, which featured a near-$20MM salary cap reduction.

The Cowboys communicated to both defenders they did not have the money to sign them, Hill notes. The team has added a host of free agents, but they have largely been on low-end contracts. As of Monday, Dallas holds just less than $8MM in cap space. Much of that will go to signing draft picks.

Dallas drafted Trevon Diggs in last year’s second round and used a fourth-round pick on Reggie Robinson. Slot corner Anthony Brown is signed through the 2022 season. Lewis re-signed a three-year, $13.5MM deal; only $4.75MM of that is fully guaranteed. Despite these investments, the Cowboys are expected to add a corner early in the draft, Hill adds, perhaps with the No. 10 overall pick.

Cardinals Sign Malcolm Butler

March 25th, 2021 at 12:30pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have signed Malcolm Butler, per a club announcement. The veteran cornerback heads to Arizona on a one-year deal, giving the Cardinals yet another big-name veteran.

The Titans cut Butler earlier this month to save $10.2MM against the salary cap. Previous to that, they had just $1MM in breathing room. Butler, a one-time Super Bowl hero, spent three seasons with the Titans, but the remainder of his five-year, $61.25MM contract was too much for Tennessee.

Butler, 31, finished 2020 as Pro Football Focus’ No. 15 corner in the NFL. It was a strong return — he missed much of 2019, but he suited up for all 16 games last year while nabbing four interceptions and 100 total tackles (a new career high). All in all, he posted the lowest yards-per-completion and yards-per-target numbers of his Tennessee tenure.

The loss of Patrick Peterson prompted the Cardinals to seek out cornerback support. Butler should go a long way towards solidifying the position with Byron Murphy in the slot and Robert Alford (if healthy) as the CB2.

Titans To Release CB Malcolm Butler

March 9th, 2021 at 4:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Titans will opt out of the final two years of Malcolm Butler‘s contract. They are releasing the veteran cornerback, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Cutting Butler will save the Titans $10.2MM. Ahead of this transaction, Tennessee held barely $1MM in cap space. The former Super Bowl hero spent three seasons with the Titans, signing a lucrative contract in 2018.

Tennessee added Butler on a five-year, $61.25MM deal in 2018. Although Butler turned 31 last week, the former UDFA will again generate interest as a free agent. He finished last season as Pro Football Focus’ No. 15 overall corner, playing 16 games after an injury-shortened 2019 slate. Butler intercepted four passes in 2020 and finished with the lowest yards-per-completion and yards-per-target figures of his Tennessee run.

A cornerback overhaul may be in the cards for the defending AFC South champions, who let Logan Ryan walk in free agency last year. They have Adoree’ Jackson going into a non-guaranteed $10.2MM fifth-year option season. After Jackson played in just three games last season, he could well be on track to join Butler in free agency soon. The Titans can only cut Jackson if he passes a physical, with the options for players drafted in the 2017 first round guaranteed for injury only.

The Titans also have two offensive free agents who should expected to be coveted next week. Funds from the Butler release could go to retaining either Jonnu Smith or Corey Davis. The Titans did not use their franchise tag this year.

Titans Place Malcolm Butler On IR

November 5th, 2019 at 3:17pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Titans are losing a key piece of their secondary, as the team is placing cornerback Malcolm Butler on injured reserve today, they announced in a release. To replace him on the roster they’re re-signing cornerback Tye Smith, who was waived over the weekend.

Butler was an every down player for the Titans, so this is a big loss. He broke his wrist during Sunday’s loss to the Panthers, and will now miss the rest of the season unless Tennessee is making a playoff run and he’s able to come back in eight weeks. Butler, the hero of Super Bowl XLIX, signed a massive five-year $61MM contract with the Titans last offseason. His first year with Tennessee was a bit of a disappointment, but he had been better so far this season.

Through nine games, Butler had 32 tackles, nine passes defended, and a pair of interceptions. The Titans had been rejuvenated by the insertion of Ryan Tannehill under center, but their momentum has now been blunted by the loss to Carolina, and losing Butler certainly won’t help an inconsistent defense. Smith was drafted by the Seahawks in the fifth-round back in 2015, and has been with the Titans for the past three seasons.

Titans’ Malcolm Butler Done For Season?

November 4th, 2019 at 1:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler could be done for the season, head coach Mike Vrabel says (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of the team’s website). Butler broke his wrist on Sunday and that could spell a bad break for the 4-5 Titans.

Surgery is a possibility for Butler, who is in Year 2 of a five-year, $61MM deal. So far this year, he has two interceptions and 32 tackles to his credit with starts in every game.

Butler landed awkwardly after trying to defend against Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel in the end zone. Samuel scored, Butler grabbed his wrist, and the Panthers went on to win 30-20.

The sixth-year veteran has started every game for the Titans over the past two seasons. This year, Butler ranks as Pro Football Focus’ No. 43 overall cornerback. The Titans have devoted considerable resources to this position, with Butler joining fellow eight-figure-per-year player Logan Ryan and recent first-rounder Adoree’ Jackson. The latter two will have to pick up the slack in Tennessee.