Steelers Invite Former Fourth-Round Pick And XFL Superstar To Rookie Minicamp

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made their second move this offseason with an XFL player, inviting St. Louis Battlehawks' wide receiver Hakeem Butler to rookie minicamp this month. During this season in the XFL, Butler hauled in 51 passes for 599 yards and eight touchdowns. While he is a far stretch to land on the team's practice squad, let alone the active roster, it may be interesting to see how he performs at minicamp after already being in game shape with the Battlehawks. 

Butler played college football at Iowa State where he recorded 110 career receptions for over 2,100 yards and 18 touchdowns. After an impressive showing at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, Butler was selected in the fourth-round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Unfortunately, his time in Arizona was cut short due to injuries. He missed his entire rookie campaign after suffering a broken hand and was waived by the Cardinals in 2020. He had stints with both the Panthers and Eagles before being picked up by the Canadian Football League. 

Butler nearly missed his opportunity to play in the XFL in 2022. If it was not for a direct message sent to Battlehawks' Head Coach Anthony Becht, Butler would still most likely be searching for his next opportunity. Now, he has the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase his talents with one of the most prestigious franchises in the history of the NFL. 

Could Butler Continue His Success In The XFL With The Steelers? 

Needless to say, Butler will be playing against much better competition at the next level, even with the players who will be at rookie minicamp with the Steelers. However, at 6'6" and 220 pounds, he has a tremendous opportunity to flash in front of the Steelers' coaches. Butler also has NFL-level speed, clocking a 4.48 40-yard dash during the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. With Butler already in great shape from just finishing up his season with the Battlehawks, he may have a clear advantage over the other wide receivers. 

There is no denying how talented Butler is but there should be a sense of caution that comes along with the news of him being invited to the Steelers' rookie minicamp. He is far from a finished product, as he struggled tremendously with drops during his time at Iowa State. Furthermore, if he truly has aspirations of receiving a contract offer from the Steelers, he must prove his ability to run the route tree effectively and be willing to accept a role as a special teams player. 

Fortunately for Butler, his advanced conditioning and impressive size and speed will make him easy to point out at minicamp. As long as he can demonstrate the ability to catch the football consistently, he may stick around in Pittsburgh. One thing is for sure, the determination and drive to be successful is clearly evident with him. Butler has not let his past failures in the NFL deter him from going for his ultimate goal. While the idea of him suiting up in the black and gold next season may seem like a stretch, he may be a legitimate candidate for the practice squad. Kudos to you, Hakeem. Best of luck with minicamp. 

Thoughts, Steeler Nation?

What are your thoughts on the Steelers bringing in an XFL player? Do you view Butler as a legitimate candidate to receive an NFL contract? Let us know in the comments! 

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