The Indianapolis Colts announced on Friday that the team has re-signed veteran ‘safety’ Darius Butler on a deal that is reportedly for 1-year and worth up to $4.5 million with incentives (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter):
Colts re-signing DB Darius Butler to a one-year, $3 million deal that could increase to $4.5M with incentives, per source. Moving to safety.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2017
It comes just a day after the Colts were said to have ‘wanted Butler back‘.
The soon-to-be 31 year old defensive back is fresh off a productive season with the Colts, having recorded 33 tackles, a forced fumble, and 3 interceptions in 12 games (7 starts).
Butler played situationally as both the Colts slot cornerback, as well as at safety this past season and was highly effective at both positions.
It’s worth noting though that Butler’s official position on the Colts roster has been changed to safety now–a move that could potentially extend his playing career.
The veteran showed exceptional speed and ball skills situationally at safety last season, so it appears it should be a smooth positional transition if permanent.
Whether Butler will enter 2017 as the team’s starter alongside emerging safety Clayton Geathers remains to be seen. However, he does provide veteran insurance in case 2nd-year safety T.J. Green continues to struggle and the Colts add no other long-term solutions to the roster.
As a recap, the Colts already let veteran starting safety Mike Adams leave to the Carolina Panthers in free agency.
If nothing else, Butler could play situationally at safety in obvious passing downs which would enable Geathers to play as a ‘hybrid’ inside linebacker–positional moves that worked out very well for the Colts secondary in their nickel and dime packages last season.
It was a re-signing that already has went over well with members of the Colts locker room and longtime players with the team:
https://twitter.com/ReggieWayne_17/status/842770674880053250
https://twitter.com/ChesterRogers80/status/842731788661379076
Congrats brother! https://t.co/4HIwj12qDJ
— Matt Overton (@MattOverton_LS) March 17, 2017
The re-signing should help shore up the Colts secondary by providing veteran insurance at safety, as well as a potential slot cornerback again.
It simply gives the Colts greater versatility in their secondary by bringing back a defensive back who’s been pretty productive for the franchise in recent seasons and remains well-liked in the locker room.