Steelers sign XFL standouts Hakeem Butler, Luq Barcoo, claim DT Manny Jones

Chris Adamski
Wednesday, May 17, 2023 5:07 p.m. | Wednesday, May 17, 2023 5:07 p.m.

Hakeem Butler warms up before a 2020 game while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. Butler, who played in the XFL this past spring, was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On a day the Pittsburgh Steelers announced the re-signing of a tenured quarterback and the release of a former starting defensive back, three players were officially added to the roster.

The Steelers announced the signings of wide receiver Hakeem Butler, cornerback Luq Barcoo and defensive tackle Manny Jones.

Butler and Barcoo appeared in the XFL this spring, though each has prior NFL experience. The acquisition of each had been previously reported.

WEDNEDAY's "First Call"-- Steelers sign XFL star WR; drama continues in Yankees-Jays series, new home for Pat McAfee's show https://t.co/76e5bqVPZt @TribLIVE @TribSports

— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) May 17, 2023

Butler, a wide receiver, was a fourth-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 but in part because of injuries has appeared in only two NFL games — both in 2020 for the Philadelphia Eagles. The 6-foot-5, 227-pound former Iowa State star spent time in the Canadian Football League last year before breaking out with the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks this spring (51 catches for 599 yards and eight touchdowns.).

While Butler briefly played tight end in the NFL, he played this past spring as a wide receiver and is listed as such on the Steelers’ roster.

Barcoo’s NFL experience is limited to three games (one start) for the 2020 Jacksonville Jaguars, though he spent time with three other NFL organizations before signing with the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas for the 2023 season. Barcoo (6-1, 175) had 31 tackles and one interception this spring, earning the second-best grade by Pro Football Focus for any XFL cornerback in 2023.

One of the best plays you’ll see all weekend by Iowa State WR Hakeem Butler pic.twitter.com/a8lrszSnm9

— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) September 15, 2018

The Steelers had two other XFL players at rookie camp as tryouts but have not signed either.

Barcoo theoretically takes the roster spot of Ahkello Witherspoon, the veteran cornerback who was released Wednesday.

The Steelers put in a claim for Jones as they were placing Renell Wren on season-ending injured reserve. An undrafted rookie last season, Jones made six tackles in 68 snaps (59 on defense) over four games last season. The 6-4, 290-pound Jones enters the mix as a rotational defensive lineman for the Steelers.

Wren has played only one snap for the Steelers, during a Jan. 1 win at the Baltimore Ravens.

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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.