The Pittsburgh Steelers have been known to give players an opportunity when no one else will. Players like James Harrison, Willie Parker and Mike Hilton all took the opportunity they were given as undrafted players, and were able to launch successful NFL careers. Not every player who is given the chance to thrive does, but when they do, they are able to create opportunities to change their lives.
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Former Steelers linebacker James Harrison was well known for his hard hits and his intense stare.
The United Football League (UFL), which was created recently as a merger between the XFL and United States Football League (USFL), is very similar in this regard in creating opportunities for players to find their way into the NFL. These "minor leagues" have brought some players into the NFL like PJ Walker, but have yet to produce a true star.
Several former Steelers have made their ways into the UFL hoping to make a name for themselves to climb back into the NFL. Upon an analysis of players who should get an opportunity in the pros, Bleacher Report's David Kenyon named Hakeem Butler and Carlos Davis as standout's who have earned a tryout this offseason.
Experience With The Steelers
Hakeem Butler
Prior to joining the UFL, Butler was a member of the Arizona Cardinals. After being selected in the 4th round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Iowa State University, Butler would struggle standing out in Glendale. Butler suffered a broken hand during his rookie season, causing him to be released during the offseason leading into 2020.
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Hakeem Butler in his rookie training camp
Butler would spend most of 2020 as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad before taking a two-year hiatus from football. He would get his second chance with three different teams between 2022 and 2023 before finding a home with the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2023. Butler thrived in St. Louis, posting 51 receptions for 599 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Steelers would call upon Butler's services in 2023, where he failed to make it through the preseason forcing him to return to the Battlehawks. Kenyon believes his successful second stint in St. Louis should allow him the chance to take his talents back to the NFL.
"Butler is a near-certainty to land another NFL shot after gathering 45 receptions, a UFL-best 652 yards, and five touchdowns for St. Louis."
Carlos Davis
Like Butler, Davis also had his opportunity in the NFL. Davis was selected with the 232nd pick of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Steelers. After four seasons at Nebraska where he earned All-American Honors, the Steelers hoped to continue to mold Davis into a dominant piece on the interior defensive line. Unfortunately for Davis, things wouldn't play out that way. Following three seasons in Pittsburgh, totaling 12 total tackles and a single sack, he would be picked up onto the Atlanta Falcons practice squad in 2023.
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Steelers Carlos Davis
Davis would bounce back and forth between both the Falcons and the Birmingham Stallions, before settling in Birmingham in January 2024. A member of the 2024 All-UFL Team, Davis has turned himself into a weapon at nose tackle and could see another chance at his NFL dream. Tied for second in the UFL with seven sacks, and 21 total tackles, Kenyon believes that Davis could lend himself to a team looking for help on the interior.
"Carlos Davis isn't a well-known player, but he emerged as one of the UFL's best interior defenders with Birmingham. (Davis) should be signed to compete for a reserve role during the NFL preseason."
The road to making an NFL roster is tough, as both these players know well. In a competitive league with only 53 active spots per roster, players have to do whatever they can to distinguish themselves. These two players have already been signed once by the Steelers, who have holes at both wide receiver and defensive tackle. With several weeks remaining until training camp gets underway, it's not impossible for the Steelers to give their former players another chance to break through the roster.
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