During his time in Rio, Jimmy Butler joked about being able to take a roster spot from a few NFL players.

His Team USA teammates laughed about it, and Kevin Durant joked calling Butler ‘an idiot'.

Three time All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney spoke with Slam Magazine, and he says he believes Butler can play in the NFL.

Butler certainly has the athletic build to play a position in the NFL, and he's a tough player which is exactly why Freeney believes he would succeed, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he is a big time Chicago Bulls fan.

Article Continues Below
More Chicago Bulls News
Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls, Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA FInals
Bulls’ Matas Buzelis reacts to Thunder-Pacers NBA FinalsTomer Azarly ·
Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
Ranking the top 3 Nikola Vucevic trade destinationsScotty White ·
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan gestures to his team against the Washington Wizards during the first quarter at United Center.
Bulls reject Knicks’ Billy Donovan interview requestRichard Pereira ·
Chicago Bulls forward Lonzo Ball (2) hits a three point shot against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during overtime at the United Center.
Ranking the top 3 Lonzo Ball trade destinationsScotty White ·
Chicago Bulls forward Lonzo Ball (2) hits a three point shot against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during overtime at the United Center.
Bulls’ Lonzo Ball grabs attention after ‘Tweaker’ BET Awards performance with LiAngeloGuillermo Guajardo ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) dribbles down the court against Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) during the second quarter at Paycom Center.
NBA rumors: Bulls could’ve gotten more from Alex Caruso-Josh Giddey tradeScotty White ·

I 100 percent believe it. He’s a tough kid, man—he plays hard. He almost plays the game kind of like a football player. I don’t think it’s appreciated enough that he’s one of those guys that isn’t afraid to get hit.

At 6-foot-7, 220 pounds, Butler is certainly the right build to play the receiver position, and had the NBA not been an option for him, maybe he could have made an NFL roster with the proper training.

His teammates may have laughed at him, but maybe he isn't so crazy after-all.