It's actually happening. Malcolm Butler is returning to the Patriots.
According to multiple reports, New England is signing the 32-year-old cornerback to a two-year deal worth up to $9 million.
Butler spent the first four years of his career with the Patriots from 2014-17, writing quite the story in the process. As a rookie, Butler rose from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl hero, picking off Russell Wilson on the goal line in the final seconds of Super Bowl XLIX to seal the Patriots' 28-24 victory over the Seahawks.
Butler earned a starting job for the next three seasons, made the Pro Bowl in 2015, and helped the Patriots win another Super Bowl in 2016. His time with the Patriots came to a controversial end in Super Bowl LII, however, when he was benched for New England's 41-33 loss to the Eagles, getting on the field for just a single special teams snap.
Butler left in free agency and signed a five-year, $61 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. He played three years there, but was released after the 2020 season.
Butler signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals last March, but then announced he was retiring in August for "personal reasons" and did not play last season.
Butler now joins a Patriots cornerback group that will have to find a way to overcome the loss of J.C. Jackson.
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