With the 2026 UFL season complete, many former Philadelphia Eagles players will now patiently wait for their next opportunity to revitalize their NFL careers.
Former Eagles project wide receiver-turned-tight end Hakeem Butler was the first UFL player to earn an NFL contract. NFL insider Mike Garafolo reported that Butler is set to join the Denver Broncos.
Former Eagle Hakeem Butler heading to Denver Broncos
Butler, who originally came out of Iowa State as a fourth-round draft pick in 2019 by the Arizona Cardinals, spent almost two seasons with Philadelphia after being signed by the Eagles in 2020, off the Carolina Panthers practice squad. It was then that Butler attempted to transition to tight end, appearing in two games for the team during the 2020 season. Butler would bounce back and forth on the Eagles' active roster and practice squad before his release in 2021 at the conclusion of training camp in 2021.
Since his time in Philadelphia, Butler had short stints in the CFL before finding his way to the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL/UFL. Since 2023, he's amassed over 2,000 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns while becoming one of the faces of the spring football brand. Butler has earned All-League honors three times, along with UFL Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2024 and 2026.
While Butler's career in Philadelphia didn't work out, the Eagles have used spring football leagues in the past to fill in their roster. Last season, the team signed former San Antonio Brahmas defensive tackle Jacob Sykes, who spent a couple of weeks on their practice squad. Most notably, former Eagles QB-turned-wide receiver Greg Ward used his opportunity in the AAF with the San Antonio Commanders to springboard his NFL career, spending five seasons in Philadelphia (19-23), while becoming a major contributor from 2020-2022.
Read more: Eagles fans aren't ready for history to potentially repeat for offense
The former Eagle gets another shot at trying to make his NFL career work.
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