Josh Butler has been waiting a long time to resume his football career. After missing all of 2025 on injured reserve, the cornerback is looking to show a whole new coaching staff that he belongs in the NFL and can help Dallas’ secondary improve this season.
Background
Years in NFL: 3
Acquired by: UDFA (2023)
It’s hard to believe that Butler turns 30 this November, but that’s part of his unorthodox NFL journey. After going undrafted in 2020, the former Michigan State Spartan didn’t catch on with any teams as a free agent. Butler didn’t give up on playing pro football, developing his craft and eventually joining The Spring League in 2021. After that league ended, Butler stuck to his goal and found his way to the Michigan Panthers of the USFL in 2023.
The Cowboys had already shown their interest in USFL talent a year earlier by adding that league’s 2022 offensive MVP, KaVontae Turpin. In 2023, they signed two more guys ahead of training camp: Butler and Brandon Aubrey. Though Butler didn’t immediately earn a roster spot the way Turpin and Aubrey did, he still did enough to stick around on the practice squad. Considering he was already 26-years-old at the time, that was no small compliment.
Butler never got called up that first year, and again started 2024 on the practice team. But he did get into action that November due to injuries. For five games, three of them as a starter, Butler showed promise with solid coverage and good run support. But a torn ACL in Week 13 cut his ride short, and unfortunately, would knock him out for an extended period.
Last year, Butler’s late-season injury kept him out of training camp and on into the season. While there were rumblings that he was ready to return, the Cowboys elected to keep him shelved in what quickly became a lost season. Butler’s contract expired, but it was a formality as Dallas had an inexpensive way to bring him back as an exclusive rights free agent.
Contract Status
Years Left: 1
2026 Cap Hit: $1.08 million
Since he spent all of 2023 on the practice squad, Butler only has two accrued seasons from the last two years. Despite his age, that’s what made him an ERFA last March and allowed Dallas to keep him for the league minimum. If Butler hits fre agency again in 2027, he’ll still be in restricted status.
2026 Projections
Role: Backup CB
Roster Chance: 15%
The fact that Butler is still here eating up a roster spot at 29, even on the cheap, says something. The Cowboys must believe that he has something to offer now, otherwise that spot would be better served on a developmental prospect with youth and upside. But Dallas must believe Butler is a contender for a down-roster role on the CB depth chart.
Barring injuries, it would certainly be down roster. If things go according to projectons, DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, Cobie Durant, and Devin Moore quickly fill up the top four. The next spot or two will be decided by the likes of Butler, Caelen Carson, Derion Kendrick, Reddy Steward, and other prospects. And with the expectation that safety Caleb Downs will play slot corner in the nickel, that could mean Dallas goes longer at safety and only keep five true corners.
One roster spot that just opened up, compared to past years, is the longtime specialist role held by C.J. Goodwin. Though he was listed as a CB throughout his Cowboys run, Goodwin was never truly part of that room. With his recently-announced retirement, that could help an additional defensive back get to the 53. But there’s a good chance, given Goodwin’s departure, that special teams value will be a key need for anyone who hopes to benefit.
Josh Butler clearly has traits that the front office likes, otherwise he wouldn’t still be here. But will they be enough to beat out much younger DB prospects, and how will Butler even look after such a lengthy absence? Butler’s defied plenty of odds just to get to the NFL and still be it in it today, so count him out now at your own peril.
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