Malcolm Butler is a 32-year-old football cornerback from Vicksburg, Mississippi. In the National Football League, he represents the New England Patriots.
In 2014, the Patriots signed him as an undrafted free agent, and he spent his first four seasons with the team.
Butler, a two-time Super Bowl champion, is popularly known for his goal-line interception in the closing seconds of Super Bowl XLIX.
Why Was Cardinals CB Malcolm Butler Benched?
Malcolm Butler was benched by the Cardinals from the reserve/retired list, making the athlete a free agent. However, he had stated earlier this year that he wanted to continue playing.
Currently, the team hasn’t provided concrete explanations for Butler’s removal; however, many claims it came as a result of his injury.
Likewise, his final contest in New England, an odd benching in Super Bowl LII, was a career low point for which there is still no clear explanation.
The cornerback made his NFL comeback by joining the Patriots. Butler, who was a member of the Arizona Cardinals, left his position due to personal circumstances at the end of August of last year, then came out of retirement to accept a two-year contract with New England in March.
The New England Patriots officially ended his 2022 season by placing him on injured reserve, the team declared on Tuesday.
It’s reasonable to ask if Butler’s NFL career is coming to an end at 32 years old.
Cardinals Cornerback Malcolm Butler Placed In Injury Reserve
Malcolm Butler missed the Patriots’ final two practices before going on IR, despite not having a publicly disclosed injury. And, his comeback to New England is dropped for 2022.
He played for the Patriots during his initial four NFL seasons, and in Super Bowl XLIX, he had the game-winning interception.
Butler participated in the preseason for New England and saw the field a total of 22 times. Before Tuesday’s news, he was ranked behind Jalen Mills on the club’s unofficial depth chart.
As per the nfl.com, Joejuan Williams, a cornerback for New England, was also placed on injured reserve after sustaining a shoulder injury.
Updates On Malcolm Butler Retirement From NFL
Malcolm Butler signed a contract with the Tennessee Titans in 2018, while the team dismissed him after his successful season in 2020.
Soon later, Butler agreed to a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals, but before the beginning of the 2021 season, he made a shocking retirement announcement.
Reportedly, the cornerback retired from the game following some “personal reason,” although it is still unclear what that circumstance was. As a result, he was placed on the reserve/retired list the same day. Later, the team officially released him on 18 February 2022.
Malcolm Butler Career Earnings And Salary Before Contract End
Butler, who is expected to be one of Arizona’s starting corners, signed with the Cardinals in the spring on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million.
Then, he returned to New England in 2022 after being freed by the Arizona Cardinals in February and agreeing to a two-year, $9 million deal.
According to the Boston Globe, Butler and the Patriots agreed to a $9 million contract in March. The action formally ends the cornerback’s retirement.
According to MARCA, Butler is excepted to have around $2 to $5 million net worth in 2022. He earned approximately $44.7 million throughout his eight-season NFL career.