Patriots bring back ex-Super Bowl hero

The New England Patriots are in need of cornerback help heading into 2022, and they are hoping beloved franchise legend Malcolm Butler can provide it.

Butler has signed a two-year, $9 million deal to return to the Patriots, according to his agent. The veteran cornerback visited with the team earlier this week.

Butler was last with the Arizona Cardinals. He sat out last season due to personal reasons and was released by the team this offseason. The 32-year-old began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Patriots in 2014 and played his first four seasons there.

Few players in NFL history have experienced higher highs and lower lows with one team than he did in New England. The former undrafted free agent made one of the best plays in Super Bowl history to help the Patriots defeat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. Two years later, he was benched in Super Bowl LII. The Patriots lost that game to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Belichick never explained why Butler was benched. There have been several theories about why the controversial decision was made. Even Butler says he was never given a reason. Obviously, there are no hard feelings.

The Patriots lost their top cornerback when JC Jackson signed with the Los Angeles Chargers earlier this month. Butler is unlikely to step into that role at this stage of his career, but he should provide quality depth.

Photo: Dec 29, 2019; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines during the second half of their loss to the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports