Butler signed with the Cardinals ahead of last season but was placed on the retired/reserves list ahead of the regular season. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

CB Malcolm Butler returning to Patriots on two-year deal

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 3/23/22

Veteran cornerback Malcolm Butler is returning to New England, inking a two-year deal with the Patriots worth up to $9 million, his agent told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Former Patriots’ CB Malcolm Butler is returning to New England on a two-year deal worth up to $9 million, per his agent @dsimpsonlaw.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 23, 2022

Patriots fans will remember Butler for intercepting Russell Wilson's pass at the goal line en route to defeating the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. They probably also remember him being benched in Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles — for reasons that hooded head coach Bill Belichick never made public — and then departing for the Tennessee Titans in free agency.

Six years ago, Malcolm Butler sealed Super Bowl XLIX with a goal-line interception

(via @nflthrowback)pic.twitter.com/FLcCBUB1hl
— ESPN (@espn) February 1, 2021

Butler spent three seasons with the Titans before being signed by the Cardinals ahead of last season. He was then placed on the retired/reserves list ahead of the regular season for what was deemed "personal reasons."

The 32-year-old cornerback reportedly visited the Patriots practice facility on Monday ahead of a deal getting done.

Butler is just one player looking to fill in the hole left by J.C. Jackson, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. New England has a couple of in-house options who aren't proven starters, so if Butler can recharge his career, his return to the Northeast could be very fruitful.

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