Butler returning to Patriots on 2-year deal worth up to $9M

Free-agent cornerback Malcolm Butler is returning to the New England Patriots on a two-year contract worth up to $9 million, Butler's agent, Derek Simpson, told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Butler - who spent his first four NFL seasons with New England - signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 but opted to retire during the preseason. He announced his intention to resume his NFL career in February.

The 32-year-old sealed his place in Patriots history by intercepting Russell Wilson on the goal line at the end of Super Bowl XLIX to preserve the victory over the Seattle Seahawks. He was also part of New England's title-winning team two years later.

Butler made a big-money free-agent move to the Tennessee Titans in 2018 and played three seasons for the AFC South club.

The Patriots need reinforcements for their secondary after losing cornerback J.C. Jackson to the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency.