The Denver Broncos are adding a proven pass-catcher to their roster, with NFL Network reporting Monday that the team is signing wide receiver Hakeem Butler, a two-time UFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Butler, who celebrated his 30th birthday last month, claimed the prestigious spring league honor in both 2024 and 2026. His most recent award-winning season saw him top the UFL with 641 receiving yards on 29 receptions and three touchdowns while playing for the St. Louis Battlehawks.
According to the report, Butler will be on the field for the Broncos’ mandatory minicamp, which gets underway Tuesday.
The 6-foot-5 receiver’s path to Denver has been a long one. The Arizona Cardinals selected him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Iowa State. His NFL playing time proved limited — he appeared in just two games with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, logging 29 of his 30 snaps on special teams and never recording a reception.
Butler also had stints on the practice squads of the Carolina Panthers in 2020, the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, and the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024. He also ventured north to the Canadian Football League in 2022, suiting up for both the BC Lions and Edmonton Elks.
His career took a significant turn when he joined the Battlehawks in 2023. Since then, he has established himself as the UFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards, accumulating an impressive 2,192 yards throughout his time in the spring league.
