The opportunity to return to the New England Patriots came as a surprise to veteran cornerback Malcolm Butler.
"I didn't expect to come back to New England," Butler said Monday, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.
"But one thing I learned - you never burn your bridges down. You handle situations as a man, as a grown-up. If I didn't do that, I don't think I would have an opportunity to come back here."
Butler spent his first four NFL seasons with the Patriots after joining the team as an undrafted rookie in 2014. He made one of the biggest plays in franchise history against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, intercepting quarterback Russell Wilson in the end zone in the final seconds to seal New England's win. Butler then earned a Pro Bowl berth in 2015 and helped the Patriots win another title in Super Bowl LI.
However, the West Alabama product didn't leave New England through the front door. He was surprisingly benched in Super Bowl LII in what ended up being his final game with the team.
But the 32-year-old is now happy to be back where it all started.
"It came as a surprise, it really did," Butler added. "My agent told me (coach Bill Belichick) wanted to talk with me. I was happy. I started working out immediately because I knew it could be a possibility that I could return."
Butler started 36 games across three seasons with the Tennessee Titans after signing a five-year deal in 2018. The Titans released him in the 2021 offseason, and he briefly retired last August due to personal reasons despite having an agreement to join the Arizona Cardinals.
"If you're not prepared mentally, you can't do nothing physically," Butler said of his retirement. "So I think I made the right decision doing that.
"I came out of retirement because I love the game of football. I'm blessed to have another opportunity to play, thanks to the Patriots."
