Bengals fans question the addition of UFL WR Hakeem Butler - “How much help does Joe Burrow need”

Hakeem Butler is back in the NFL. On Friday, the former St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver, who dominated the inaugural UFL season with the most receiving yards and winning Offensive Player of the Year, joined the Cincinnati Bengals after a workout, as reported by ESPN insider Adam Schefter on July 26:

"Bengals signed former UFL St. Louis Battlehawks standout WR Hakeem Butler."

Fans were quick to react to the news, with one questioning the team's decision to add Butler, suggesting it was to help QB Joe Burrow contend against Patrick Mahomes.

"How much help does Burrow need to bear Mahomes?"

Other fans mentioned wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, whose fifth-year option was picked by the team.

"If I’m Jamar chase im taking this personally," a fan said.

"Wow clearly moving on from Ja’Marr Chase," one said.

Some fans were delighted at the news, while others kept their hopes up.

"Great pick up 👏," a fan said.

"Maybe he'll surprise us all and become the next breakout star," another hoped.

One fan suggested:

"They should let him play TE though."

Also signed to the roster on Friday were punter Ryan Rehkow and cornerback Nate Brooks.

---

A brief overview of Hakeem Butler's pro football career

After three seasons at Iowa State, where he was a second-team All-American and All-Big 12, Hakeem Butler was drafted 103rd overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019. However, he missed his entire rookie season after breaking his hand and was waived before beginning his sophomore season.

He was eventually picked up by the Carolina Panthers and spent some time on their practice squad before being signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. There he was moved to tight end and alternated being released and signed.

After the 2021 season ended, Butler moved to Canada, where he practiced with the BC Lions and Edmonton Elks but did not make the roster.

He was selected in the fifth round of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft by the St. Louis Battlehawks and thrived, catching 51 passes for 599 yards and eight touchdowns. However, the lack of a wildcard/crossover resulted in the team missing the playoffs despite a 7-3 record, while the 4-6 Arlington Renegades went on to win the title.

Butler returned to the Battlehawks, now a member of the UFL, in 2024 after a brief practice stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He performed even better, catching 45 passes for 652 yards and five touchdowns en route to winning the league's Offensive Player of the Year Award. The Battlehawks made it to the playoffs this time, winning the XFL Conference, but lost 15-25 to the San Antonio Brahmas.

Since then, Hakeem Butler has received tryouts from the Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars and was linked to other teams, including the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams, before he eventually signed with the Bengals.