Report: Patriots host Malcolm Butler for visit
Along with Leonard Fournette, the Patriots hosted another free agent looking to add to a positional group of need. This time, the visitor happens to be an old friend.
According to Ben Volin, former Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler returned for a visit in his attempt to make a comeback in the NFL. Butler had a workout at Gillette Stadium on Monday.
A potential return for the former undrafted free agent would be quite the full circle story for his career. In his rookie season in 2014, Butler played in 11 games before entering Super Bowl XLIX against the Seahawks to replace Kyle Arrington. Butler proceeded to make one of the most historic plays in Super Bowl history, intercepting a pass at the goal line from Russell Wilson to seal a 28-24 win for New England and the franchise’s fourth championship.
FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 29: Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots breaks up a pass intended for Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter of a game at Gillette Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The following season, Butler served as the team’s number one corner, covering talents such as Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. while making his lone All-Pro selection. Butler started all 32 games from 2015 to 2016 and took home another ring in New England’s 34-28 win over Atlanta in Super Bowl LI.
The following season, Butler’s career took a turn during his contract year after he was mysteriously benched for Super Bowl LII, a game New England lost to Philadelphia in which the Patriots defense gave up 538 total yards without one of its top defensive players.
That offseason, Butler signed a five-year contract for $61.25 million with the Tennessee Titans. He played three seasons in Nashville with his best year coming in 2020, starting every game with four interceptions and a career-best 100 tackles.
Butler was released after the 2020 season and signed with Arizona before announcing his retirement. After missing the 2021 season, Butler looks to make a return to football, potentially with the team with whom he put his name on the map.
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