On Tuesday, it was reported that the Tennessee Titans would split from one of their best cornerbacks. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Titans are launching the cornerback Malcolm Butler. The veteran defender had two years left on his contract, but with many teams looking to save money, Butler became a casualty for the Titans. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, cutting Butler saves Tennessee more than $ 10 million against the limit.
Butler was, of course, the Super Bowl XLIX hero for the New England Patriots, defeating Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russel Wilson on the goal line, with just a few seconds to go until the fourth quarter. After four seasons with New England and a strange bank in the Super Bowl LII, Butler signed a five-year contract with the Titans.
His time in Tennessee was full of ups and downs as he struggled in the first half of his first year with the Titans in 2018 and then broke his wrist in 2019. Butler ended up becoming the cornerback the Titans expected in 2020, when he registered the his career record with 100 combined tackles, 14 defended passes and four interceptions in 16 games. Butler turned 31 earlier this month, but will receive some attention in the open market – especially considering the great season he just had in Tennessee.
Cutting Butler was a difficult decision, not only because of the solid performance he had in 2020, but because the cornerback position is one of Tennessee’s greatest needs in this off-season. The Titans’ defense was fifth in the league in relation to the total yards allowed per game last season, and the fourth worst in passing yards allowed per game. The Titans hold overall choice No. 22 in the 2021 NFL Draft, which is a point of many simulated drafts dedicated to a pass-rusher. Now, the Titans may be looking for some help in the secondary with their first choice.