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Adam Butler isn't afraid to tell it how it is when it comes to his self-evaluation of last season with the Raiders

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Justin Churchill | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 9:46 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders didn't have the best season last year, but somehow they had some very good individual performances. Some players, who usually don't get much shine, had good seasons because of the injuries the Raiders dealt with.

No one likes injuries, and no one wishes anything upon other players or teams, but in the Raiders' case, there was some good to come from that. Last year, we got to see some rookies thrown into the fire and prevail. Guys like Decamerion Richardson did well, all things considered, as well as Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze.

But also, some veterans have to show what they can really do if given a chance. And, one of those guys was Adam Butler, the veteran who was previously playing for the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. Last year, he had a career season, and it was a contract season for him, too, which ended up helping him out big time, as the Raiders rewarded him by bringing him back on a new deal.

But, if you ask him, it wasn't quite good enough, and there are certainly things that need to be better.

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"Yeah, I felt I had a phenomenal season," Butler said at mandatory minicamp. "I think, of course, it could have been better in a lot of different ways. And that's one of my goals this year, is just to eliminate the close calls. There are so many other opportunities when you really break down the tape, where maybe I was this close to making a play, or maybe I didn't quite finish. And I'm trying to just eliminate that from my game and just focus on the little details."

Butler is going to be huge for the Raiders in 2025, especially if Wilkins is healthy and can play the full season. That will just open up gaps for him to make plays in the run and the passing game. And, even if Wilkins isn't healthy, they will rely on him to be the guy on the interior.

So, yes, the decision by John Spytek and Pete Carroll to bring Butler back was huge. He's not a young pup by any means -- he's seen and done some things in this league. But, it feels like he's still getting better.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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