One of the top stars from the 2023 XFL relaunch is getting another chance in the NFL.
Per the XFL’s official Twitter account, the NFL”s Pittsburgh Steelers have signed St. Louis BattleHawks wide receiver Hakeem Butler. Terms of Butler’s contract weren’t initially available.
Butler was among the XFL’s elite wide receivers in the 2023 relaunch. Butler finished with 51 receptions for 599 yards a league-leading eight touchdowns. Only Jahcour Pearson of the Seattle Sea Dragons had more receptions (60) and receiving yards (670) than Butler.
The former Iowa State standout was drafted in the fourth round (103rd overall) by the Arizona Cardinals back in 2019. Unfortunately, Butler suffered a hand injury and had to miss his entire rookie campaign.
Butler wound up being let go by the Cardinals before ever playing an offensive snap for them. He suited up in two games for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2020 campaign, but he was only targeted once in those contests.
The CFL’s BC Lions and Edmonton Elks both signed Butler in 2022, but he never played a game for either team. The BattleHawks selected Butler in the fifth round of the XFL supplemental draft, and he finally put it all together this year.
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Butler will join a Pittsburgh offense led by second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, standout receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, star running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth.
