Cornerback Malcolm Butler was called back into action in New England after the Patriots lost J.C. Jackson to the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency this offseason. Despite not appearing in a game since the end of the 2020 NFL season, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports that Butler is a favorite to win the starting cornerback job across from Jalen Mills.
After joining the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2014, Butler served as a reserve corner until being called into action in Super Bowl XLIX and making one of the most famous interceptions in NFL history. Butler was awarded the starting job the following season and stayed there until signing with the Tennessee Titans as a free agent in 2018. He continued to start in Tennessee for three years before being released as a cap casualty after the 2020 season.
Butler rebounded quickly, signing a deal to join the Arizona Cardinals, but, just prior to the start of the 2021 season, Butler decided to retire for personal reasons. His retirement never sounded very final, but he never appeared in a game that season and Arizona formally released him this past February.
Butler rejoins a room that now holds Mills as a starter and Jonathan Jones as a starting nickel corner. The Patriots brought in Terrance Mitchell while returning Joejuan Williams, Shaun Wade and Justin Bethel. New England also used a fourth-round pick this year to draft Jack Jones out of Arizona State. Out of the available options, Mitchell is most likely to give Butler competition for the job, but Butler’s experience and familiarity will afford the 32-year-old a bit of an advantage.
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