ClutchPoints
The Denver Broncos have done everything they can to surround QB Bo Nix with weapons this offseason. Denver’s biggest move was trading for Jaylen Waddle before the 2026 NFL Draft. Now the Broncos have brought in another talented wide receiver who recently won a major award playing spring football.
The Broncos will sign veteran wide receiver Hakeem Butler, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Butler won his second career Offensive Player of the Year award in the UFL this spring. He logged 29 receptions for 641 receiving yards and three touchdowns for the St. Louis Battlehawks. Butler led the UFL in receiving yards and yards per reception (22.1) in 2026.
Denver’s coaching staff was clearly impressed enough to give Butler another chance at making it in the NFL.
Butler is a former 2019 fourth-round pick out of Iowa State by the Cardinals. He never quite stuck with an NFL team, bouncing around to the Panthers and Eagles before venturing off to the CFL.
The first time Butler played spring football was in the XFL, also for the St. Louis Battlehawks, back in 2023. He played well, logging 51 receptions for 599 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. In fact, he played well enough that the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him to a contract during the summer before the 2023 season. Unfortunately, an injury torpedoed his chances at returning to the NFL.
Butler went back to spring ball with St. Louis in 2024, where he won his first Offensive Player of the Year award in the UFL. He started all 10 games, logging 45 receptions for a league-leading 652 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
The Broncos have quite a few receivers ahead of Butler on the depth chart. But he’ll be given the chance to prove himself on the field.
It will be fascinating to see if Butler can stick on the roster past mandatory minicamp, which kicks off on June 16th. If he does, Butler could compete for a roster spot during training camp later this summer.
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