Even with two Super Bowl rings and a Pro Bowl honor under his belt, Tennessee Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler is still determined to be a dominant player, a version of him that we have not seen since 2018.

Butler is looking at 2020 as a great chance to get back to top form, and he is “hungry” to get back to helping the Titans capitalize on their AFC Championship game appearance to end last year. Having been on the shelf since having broken his wrist in Week 9, Butler was unable to help the team in its attempt to try and stop the vaunted Kansas City Chiefs’ offense but is itching to get back on the field to help his team.

“Oh, I’ll be ready to go,” Butler said. Being out half of the season last year, it made me appreciate everything even more. It made me hungry. When you get football taken away from you, you appreciate it more. I’ll be ready to help the team, most definitely.”

In speaking with Jim Wyatt of the team website, it is easy to tell that Butler understands the pressure that has been put on him ever since he signed a five-year deal worth up to $61.25 million with Tennessee in March of 2018. Having gone undrafted back in 2014 out of West Alabama and having signed with the New England Patriots, Butler became the team’s shutdown corner, showing up in big moments when the team needed him the most.

One of the biggest moments for Butler that many fans can remember is his goal-line interception of Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson at the end of Super Bowl XLIX, which dashed the hopes of the driving Seahawks and pushed the playcalling blame to why they decided to throw the ball instead of run it in at the goal line.

In ‘18, his last full season, Butler made 56 tackles, three interceptions and broke up 13 passes. In his shortened season in 2019, Butler still made 30 tackles, picked off two passes, and broke up 10 passes in only nine games, still hearty numbers for a nine-game slate.

If Tennessee wants to remain a threat in the AFC, Butler’s play and health must both increase. With the likes of Adoree’ Jackson and Chris Milton, among others, being the other corners on the roster, and with Logan Ryan, Tramaine Brock, and Tye Smith all being free agents (along with LeShaun Sims having left for Cincinnati), Butler will need to retain that no. 1 CB role that he was paid handsomely to be and help lead this Titans’ defense back to another strong season.