Former New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler is eyeing a return to the NFL, according to multiple reports. Butler, who retired in August, has spent less than a year out of the league.
His retirement came as something of a shock, so perhaps it’s fitting that the cornerback is interested in making a return to the league. He spent 2014 to 2017 with the Patriots, where he became a Super Bowl hero — before getting benched in Super Bowl LI, his final game with the team. Butler then played for the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2020 and was with the Arizona Cardinals for a few months in 2021 before calling it a career.
It will be interesting to see what kind of free agency market materializes for the veteran. Because the Cardinals released him, he can sign with a team right away, if he comes out of retirement.
Don't know about that, but a source close to Malcolm Butler says he's "definitely" coming out of retirement and plans to play in 2022. Butler is only 32 in March and should be able to find a spot https://t.co/a9dkldqcUC
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) February 18, 2022
Butler has been working out diligently. Would expect a return. https://t.co/NhvGTl3PSQ
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) February 17, 2022
The Patriots are in need of help at cornerback. But it’s unclear whether Butler would want to go back to playing for Bill Belichick after that controversial benching in the Super Bowl.
