Will Former Steelers WR Hakeem Butler's Impressive UFL Performance Earn Him Another Shot In Pittsburgh?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have some questions at wide receiver heading into the 2024 NFL season. They traded former Pro Bowler Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers after rumors emerged that he was less than content with the quarterback situation. This left many expecting the team to select a top receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they waited until the third round to take Roman Wilson out of Michigan. 

Does this mean the team feels confident that Wilson can join George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Quez Watkins, and Van Jefferson in creating a well-rounded receiving corps? While the team was linked to many big-name receivers during the offseason, nothing ever came of any of the rumors, creating more questions than answers. 

However, another player may emerge from a more unlikely location: the United Football League (UFL). That player is familiar to Pittsburgh, Hakeem Butler. Butler has bounced around the NFL since being drafted in the fourth round in 2019 by the Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers found Butler while he was playing for the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2023. Pittsburgh signed him in May of 2023 and waived him in late August. 

But after another successful season with the Battlehawks, Butler is getting attention. He currently leads the UFL in receiving yards with 619, has the third-most receptions with 43, and ranks second in touchdowns with five. When Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt handed out his end-of-the-season UFL awards, he named Butler the Offensive Player of the Year. 

While Butler has not found the NFL success he'd hoped for when he joined the league, he could be one step closer. There was a lot to like about 6'5", 227 lb. Butler when he showed up in Latrobe last year, but unfortunately, he wasn't able to find enough on-field success to earn a permanent roster spot. 

During his time in and out of the NFL, Butler has learned how to use his rangy frame to his advantage. He has said that he realizes he's hard to tackle, and thanks to encouragement from the Battlehawks coaches, he is auditioning for the job he wants. He has learned to compensate for being bigger than many receivers with toughness and refusing to quit. 

One thing Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin loves is fortitude, and Butler has it in spades. Despite his journeyman career, he continues battling and fighting for a team spot. With an even more successful year in the UFL and the possibility that holes exist in the Steelers roster, Butler could find himself being invited back to St. Vincent for another shot with the Black and Gold. 

The Steelers Letting The Receiver Situation Play Out

As many expected, the Steelers didn't rush out and sign a big-name receiver this offseason, like Brandon Aiyuk or Courtland Sutton. Instead, they did what the Steelers tend to do: make slow and deliberate moves that ensure the team's long-term success. 

As a rookie, Wilson may not be ready to make an immediate impact as a starter right away; they may not actually need him to. The Steelers brought in a new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, and the playbook is expected to look much different. It seems likely that they will revamp their run game and utilize their tight end, Pat Freiermuth, more often. 

This allows the team to potentially get to camp and see how the current group performs before making any decisions. However, it is helpful to know someone with as much upside as Butler is out there if they need him. 

What do you think about Butler? Should he get another shot? Click to comment below!

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