Former All-Pro suddenly retires from the NFL, Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals placed former All-Pro cornerback Malcolm Butler on the reserve/retired list Tuesday, in just his eighth year in the league. According to NFL Networks Mike Garafolo, Butler had been away from practice for a “personal situation” prior to the Cardinals’ announcement.

Butler retires from NFL and Arizona Cardinals

In a surprise announcement made on the NFL’s cut day, the Arizona Cardinals revealed that they had placed Malcolm Butler on the reserve/retired list. This means that for now, Butler is considered retired from the NFL.

While his future in the NFL remains unclear as he could always announce his return, his immediate status is that he is no longer a part of the Cardinals. Butler had signed with the Cardinals on a one-year contract this season and was practicing with the team as a full participant intent on making the team.

Butler began his career with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2014, where he played four seasons and won two Super Bowl titles. One of the most iconic moments of Butler’s time with the Patriots was in Super Bowl XLIX.

With the Patriots leading the Seahawks 28-24 in the final moments of the game, Seattle was on the one-yard line threatening to score the game-winning touchdown. The Seahawks chose to pass instead of run with running back Marshawn Lynch, and Butler jumped the route and intercepted the pass to win the game for New England.

It was the first interception of his NFL career and a lasting play in the legacy of the Tom Brady-era of the Patriots.

Butler signed a five-year contract with the Tennessee Titans in 2018 before being cut in March of 2021.

Off-field concerns

Malcolm Butler’s retirement comes as a shock to the NFL community, but it isn’t the first time unclear situations have caused him to miss time in the NFL. Butler did not play in Super Bowl LII for the Patriots for reasons that were never made public, in a decision made by head coach Bill Belichick.

“Malcolm Butler is dealing with a personal situation that has him mulling retirement, sources tell me,” reported NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. “He is going through a personal situation right now and part of that situation led him to be away from the facility within the last week for a period of time. He is still trying to work his way through that. Right now, retirement or stepping away from the game is on the table for Malcolm Butler.”

As of yet, there has been no comment from either the Cardinals or Butler. While a return for Butler to the NFL is possible, rejoining the Cardinals is not on the table after being removed from the roster on cut day.

“The team has no comment on the matter, and Butler’s agent did not respond to several attempts to get a comment from him. So we’ll see where this goes for the Cardinals and Butler.”