Colts With the Most to Play For: Safety Darius Butler
By Andrew Ites
Darius Butler has been a key member of this Colts franchise, but he’ll need to perform well over the last few games if he wants to continue his career in Indianapolis.
Darius Butler began his NFL career with two years in New England and spent a season in Carolina before joining the Colts in 2012. Butler has been a lynchpin of the Indianapolis secondary for the past six years, but his contract is up after this season and he is currently set to be a free agent in 2018.
Butler has been the lone constant in the Colts’ defensive backfield over the past two years through a multitude of injuries. He’s been forced to play multiple positions, and Butler has been a mentor to many of Indianapolis’ young defensive backs.
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Butler will be 32 before the 2018 season kicks off, and it’s safe to say he may lose a step playing under his next contract. However, Butler’s veteran leadership could be valuable for Malik Hooker, Quincy Wilson, Nate Hairston, and the rest of the Colts’ young secondary.
In his ninth NFL season Butler has 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery to go along with 13 total tackles. General manager Chris Ballard would like to see some more production from Butler during this final stretch of the 2017 season to receive a contract extension.
Butler has been a great professional during his time in Indianapolis and he’s been a member of some majorly successful teams, but he’ll need to play well if he wants to retire in a Colts uniform.
Here are some other Colts players in a similar situation this season: