With 2021 NFL Free Agency humming on the horizon, one savvy defensive veteran has surprisingly hit the market. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Tennessee Titans have released cornerback Malcolm Butler, saving the AFC South stalwarts more than $10 million.
Source: The #Titans have informed starting CB Malcolm Butler that he’s been released.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2021
Butler's tenure with the Titans was mostly a good one. After four years with the New England Patriots — where he earned Pro Bowl status in 2015, and famously sealed Super Bowl XLIX with a goal-line interception of Seattle's Russell Wilson — the former West Alabama product was signed by Tennessee HC Mike Vrabel in 2018.
Over the next three years, Butler started in 36 regular-season games (of a possible 48). And in 2020, he bounced back from a '19 injury to start in all 16 games, grabbing four interceptions with 14 pass deflections and a career-high 100 tackles (81 solo).
The Titans finished 11-5 this past year but were vengefully bounced by the visiting Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2021 AFC playoffs and defense remained the team's biggest question all year, ranking near the bottom in points and yards allowed.
Butler will assuredly be a valued piece for some team in free agency. He's just put up one of his more productive seasons, is only 32 years old, and is heading into his eighth year in the league. His age might be a knock to some teams, but his experience on the field and in the locker room should still earn him a high-value contract.
As for the Titans; what's next? GM Jon Robinson and Vrabel have their own questions to answer after opting out of the 2021 franchise tag for guys like WR Corey Davis or TE Jonnu Smith. Procuring potent pass rushers continues to be the hot-button issue in Nashville, Tennessee, as does keeping the offense rumbling after finishing fourth in the league in points per game (30.7) last year behind QB Ryan Tannehill, WR A.J. Brown, and RB Derrick Henry.
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