For eight-year NFL veteran Adam Butler, the road to respect hasn’t been smooth. But after a career year with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, Butler’s perseverance, production, and presence have finally earned him league-wide recognition. NFL.com’s Tom Blair aptly named Butler the Raiders’ most underappreciated player heading into the 2025 season — and it’s hard to argue otherwise.
“It feels like Butler’s career trajectory was crafted with the express purpose of landing him a spot on this list at this exact moment in time,” wrote Blair. From undrafted free agent to Super Bowl champion with the Patriots, then discarded after a failed physical in Miami, Butler’s comeback in Vegas is a story of resilience and resolve.
Adam Butler’s Late-Career Renaissance Lands Him on NFL.com’s ‘Most Underappreciated’ List For Las Vegas Raiders
After signing a reserve/futures contract in 2023, Butler emerged as a valuable rotational piece, notching 5.0 sacks. When Christian Wilkins went down in 2024, Butler stepped into a starting role — and delivered. “He hit that exact same number [5.0 sacks] as a 16-game starter in 2024,” Blair noted. More than just a pass-rusher, Butler set career highs in tackles (65) and QB hits (10), tying personal bests in tackles for loss (8).
His rise wasn’t accidental. “I said what I said because I had the right mindset,” Butler told Raiders Wire after a strong training camp. “At this point, it just felt like do or die. And I chose to do.” He proved his worth as a full-time player, emphasizing, “That’s what it is. And it is what it is. I had a hell of a season. And I proved it.”
Blair praised Butler’s all-around impact: “Butler’s sneaky-good performance for a sneaky-decent Raiders defense… earned him a three-year deal that must have been pretty gratifying.” That contract — worth $16.5 million with $11 million guaranteed — is validation for a player who never stopped betting on himself.
With Wilkins still recovering, Butler’s continued presence is essential. The Raiders were wise to retain the veteran, whose toughness and leadership are now foundational to a defense on the rise.
In the eyes of fans, coaches, and now NFL.com, Butler may no longer be underappreciated — just long overdue for the recognition he’s earned.