Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and multi-time UFL Offensive Line Player of the Year Hakeem Butler is back in the NFL, agreeing to a contract with the Denver Broncos on Monday.
Butler, 30, was highly productive with the St. Louis BattleHawks once again this season, recording 665 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 22.1 yards per reception — a UFL record. He also scored three touchdowns, tied for second on the team.
Butler was able to have the impressive season he did with three different starting quarterbacks in Brandon Silvers , Harrison Frost, and Luis Perez .
Despite his repeated success in the UFL, Butler has been unable to make the transition back into the NFL over the last few years, including his 2023 stint with the Steelers.
The Arizona Cardinals selected the 6-foot-5 Butler in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but he was released before the start of the 2020 season. He then joined the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles for brief stints before exiting the NFL altogether.
After his first season with the BattleHawks in 2023, then in the XFL, the Steelers picked up Butler in and gave him a chance throughout the spring and summer. However, he had inconsistency with his hands in training camp, and a preseason injury caused his release.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hakeem Butler at training camp, Aug. 2, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
After his release by the Steelers, Butler returned to St. Louis to play for the BattleHawks in the new UFL and he caught 45 passes for 652 yards and five touchdowns over 10 games. That is when he earned his first UFL Offensive Player of the Year honors.
He was back in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2024 offseason, but was released in August, and did not sign in the league last season.
Aaron Becker contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Broncos Snap Up Ex-Steelers WR Season after Strong UFL Season
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