Hakeem Butler couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to immediately show off his most prodigious talents.

During his early 11-on-11 practice reps with his new team and back in the world’s best league, Butler ran a 15-yard out route. Butler, who confirmed the sequence after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first organized team activities session last Tuesday, used his long strides to gain a step on a defensive back in coverage.

Then Butler deployed his freakish 84-inch wingspan, extending his 6-foot-51⁄2-inch body to pull the Mitch Trubisky pass softly into his hands as it zipped diagonally across the sideline. Butler completed the catch by deftly toe-tapping his feet in bounds.

From 60 feet away, franchise quarterback Kenny Pickett yelled approvingly.

“Way to go, ’Keem! Way to go!”

Talk about making a good first impression.

“I mean, I think I will have to show them more than one catch,” Butler said with a wry smile about an hour later from inside the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex locker room. “But I guess that’s a good start.”

Butler knows he will have to make many more plays if he is to make the 53-man, regular-season roster. But he is happy for the opportunity and eager to show what he can do.

“This a chance,” Butler said, “and I am just trying to take advantage of it every day.”

New Steelers WR Hakeem Butler, last of the XFL pic.twitter.com/2jISVMjabm

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 23, 2023

Butler’s sheer size makes him appear like a man among boys during drills with the Steelers’ wide receivers corps. In particular, seeing the Butler chat with the 5-9 Calvin Austin is quite the juxtaposition.

It’s easy to see why that body type, when combined with good speed — 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash — and quality production at Iowa State — 2018 second-team all-Big 12 with 1,138 receiving yards 22.0 yards per catch and nine touchdowns — made Butler such a sleeper draft prospect in 2019.

For myriad reasons, though, the 227-pound Butler hasn’t made it in the NFL. He’s appeared in two regular-season games, playing one snap on offense over the four years since he was taken in the fourth round by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019.

The Steelers are the seventh pro team — the fourth in the NFL — taking a chance on Butler, who was cut by the BC Lions and Edmonton Elks of the CFL in 2022.

Hakeem Butler is just taking over this game pic.twitter.com/h2pFhyzAyW

— OutCYde the Lines (@OutCYdetheLines) April 22, 2023

So how did Butler finally begin to put it all together while playing for the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks this spring?

“I think it’s just people believing in me,” Butler said. “When you have people who believe in you, I feel like no matter who you are, as long as you have the skills and the talent (it shines through).”

The Steelers have shown over the years that they are willing to believe in players who thrive in minor-league spring football.

In 2019, they signed six players off Alliance of American Football rosters. The next year, Christian Kuntz signed with the Steelers after playing in the XFL and remains the Steelers’ long snapper.

Butler is joined by cornerback Luq Barcoo (alum of the San Antonio Brahmas) as players on the Steelers’ summer roster who competed in the XFL in 2023.

“We just utilize all the ball at our disposal in an effort to acquire talent,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “And we respect what those leagues are trying to get done and in terms of exposing and preparing guys and developing them.”

Butler has enough raw talent that he’s an intriguing prospect to compete for a role in the offense as a No. 4 or 5 wide receiver and possible “gunner” on special teams.

Injuries, in part, derailed previous opportunities for Butler with the Cardinals, Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles. But after finishing among the top two in the XFL in catches (73), receiving yards (599) and receiving touchdowns (eight) this spring, Butler has rediscovered his swagger.

Just ask him what he thinks he can bring to the Steelers’ offense.

“Everything,” Butler said. “A big-bodied guy, explosive plays, physicality, fast as (heck). So, you know, everything.”

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---