Cardinals CB Malcolm Butler Makes Decision On NFL Future

On Tuesday afternoon, the Arizona Cardinals made an official decision on former star corner Malcolm Butler – placing him on the reserve/retired list.

Butler hasn’t been practicing for the his new Cardinals squad over the last week because of a “personal situation” that put retirement from the league “on the table,” per NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo on Monday.

“Part of that situation led him to be away from the facility in the last week for a period of time,” Garafolo said. “He is still trying to work his way through that, and right now, retirement or stepping away from the game is on the table.”

That possibility came true when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Butler, 31, has been placed on Arizona’s reserve/retired list.

Cardinals placed cornerback Malcolm Butler on the reserve/retired list.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2021

Butler signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Cardinals as a free agent just five months ago. And while the former Super Bowl hero could still return to the Cardinals — for now, he’s no longer on the active roster and is considered retired by the league.

That being said, this reserve/retire list move by the Arizona front office keeps their veteran corner under his current contract until an official decision is made.

As a seven-year NFL veteran, Butler didn’t suit up for the Cardinals in this year’s preseason. But, he did participate in all offseason workouts and training camp practices — showing no indication of quitting until this past week.

In 2020, Butler posted the best season of his NFL career, logging a career-high 100 tackles, four interceptions and 14 passes defended through 16 starts.

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