Adam Butler Bio
Adam Oneal Butler (born April 12, 1994) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 300 pounds, he plays on the interior defensive line and has become a reliable rotation player in the league. Butler signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL draft and has since built a career on consistency, football intelligence, and quiet production.
Over the course of his professional career, Adam Butler has played for three NFL franchises, including the New England Patriots, the Miami Dolphins, and the Las Vegas Raiders. He won a Super Bowl championship as a member of the Patriots. Now in his second stint with the Raiders, Butler remains an active contributor along the defensive front and recently agreed to a multi-year contract extension that keeps him in the silver and black through 2028.
Early Life and Background
Adam Butler was born on April 12, 1994, in Duncanville, Texas, a suburb of Dallas known for producing competitive high school football talent. He grew up in the same community that shaped his early love for the sport, and the local football culture played a central role in his development. The Texas high school football scene is widely regarded as one of the most demanding in the country, and Butler’s upbringing gave him a strong foundation in the game’s physical and mental demands.
Butler attended Duncanville High School, where he played for the Duncanville Panthers. He was a two-time captain of the football team, demonstrating early leadership qualities that would later define his professional career. During his senior season, Butler earned MVP honors, a recognition that reflected both his production on the field and his value to the program. He was a descendant of children’s rights campaigner Edna Gladney, a notable figure in Texas and American social reform history, which gave his family background a meaningful place in the broader story of the region.
Following high school, Butler was not listed among the top national recruits, but he drew the attention of college programs looking for a long, athletic defensive lineman. He chose to attend Vanderbilt University, accepting a scholarship to play for the Commodores in the Southeastern Conference, one of college football’s most competitive leagues. His path from Duncanville to the SEC illustrated both his work ethic and his potential to grow at the next level.
Path to American Football
Adam Butler’s path to professional football began in earnest at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. After redshirting his freshman year, he developed steadily within the Vanderbilt Commodores program and eventually became a prominent member of the team’s defense. The decision to redshirt allowed him to add strength and refine his technique, both of which were essential for an interior defensive lineman competing in the SEC.
Across four seasons with the Vanderbilt Commodores, Butler accumulated 113 total tackles, 10 sacks, two blocked extra points, and one defensive touchdown. Those numbers highlighted his versatility as a defender who could disrupt plays at the line of scrimmage, pressure the quarterback, and contribute in the team’s red-zone defense. His college production was enough to draw attention from NFL scouts, even though he was not projected as a top draft pick.
Following the 2017 NFL draft, Butler went unselected but received an opportunity to sign with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017. Joining one of the NFL’s most successful organizations gave him a structured environment in which to compete for a roster spot, and his path from a Texas high school standout to an SEC contributor to a professional football player was complete.
Adam Butler Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Adam Butler signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017. After impressing in the Patriots’ training camp and preseason that summer, he earned a spot on the team’s 53-man roster, a notable achievement for an undrafted rookie competing against established veterans. He was active for the Patriots’ regular-season home opener, seeing 21 snaps and recording a tackle in a 42–27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
During the 2017 season, the Patriots advanced to Super Bowl LII, where they faced the Philadelphia Eagles. Butler recorded one tackle in the game, although New England came up short by a score of 41–33. The following season, the Patriots returned to the Super Bowl and defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3 in Super Bowl LIII, giving Butler a Super Bowl championship ring early in his career. His first two seasons established him as a dependable rotational defensive tackle in one of the league’s top defensive systems.
New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins (2019–2022)
In Week 2 of the 2019 season against the Miami Dolphins, Adam Butler recorded 2 sacks as the Patriots won 43–0, marking one of the most productive individual games of his early career. Later that season, in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns, Butler registered a team-high 2 sacks on quarterback Baker Mayfield in a 27–13 victory. Those performances illustrated his ability to disrupt passing plays and finish around the quarterback, traits that became a regular part of his game.
Butler re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year restricted free agent contract on April 17, 2020, continuing his tenure in New England. On March 18, 2021, he signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, beginning a new chapter in his career. However, on August 2, 2022, Butler was released by the Dolphins because of a failed physical, cutting short his time in Miami.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2023–Present)
On January 27, 2023, Adam Butler signed a reserve/future contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, marking his return to the AFC West and giving him an opportunity to rebuild his career in a new defensive system. In his first full season with the Raiders, he played all 17 games and recorded 28 tackles, five sacks, four passes defensed, and a forced fumble, a strong all-around campaign that reestablished him as a productive interior defender.
On March 18, 2024, Butler re-signed with the Raiders, signaling the organization’s confidence in his role. During the 2024 season, he played in every game and recorded a career-high 65 tackles along with five sacks, emerging as one of the team’s most reliable defensive linemen. On March 12, 2025, Butler re-signed with the Raiders on a three-year, $16.5 million contract, cementing his long-term place with the franchise through the 2028 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
While not a traditional edge rusher, Adam Butler has built his reputation on interior disruption, quick first-step reactions, and dependable run defense. His size and length allow him to hold up against double-teams, while his motor and technique have produced consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Working within the Raiders’ defensive scheme, he has grown into a steady presence who can be relied upon in both base and passing situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Adam Butler’s career came in Super Bowl LIII, when he helped the New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13–3 and earn a championship ring. His career-high 65-tackle season with the Raiders in 2024 stands as another milestone, reflecting his growth into a full-time starter. His multi-year contract signed in March 2025 also represents one of the most significant professional achievements of his career.
Adam Butler Career Wins
Adam Butler’s career is defined less by statistical championships than by sustained team success and individual production. His most significant team accomplishment is a Super Bowl championship earned with the New England Patriots following the 2018 season. He has also been part of multiple playoff-caliber rosters in New England, Miami, and Las Vegas, contributing as a rotation player and, more recently, as a starter.
NFL Highlights
Butler’s first notable NFL win came during his rookie preseason with the New England Patriots, when he secured a roster spot following an impressive training camp. His first multi-sack performance came in Week 2 of the 2019 season against the Miami Dolphins, a 43–0 victory in which he recorded 2 sacks. His most recent standout performance came during the 2024 season, when he recorded a career-high 65 tackles and five sacks for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Other Performances
Beyond his NFL career, Butler was a two-time captain and senior-season MVP at Duncanville High School, and he posted 113 total tackles, 10 sacks, two blocked extra points, and one defensive touchdown across four seasons at Vanderbilt. Those college numbers helped him earn a professional opportunity despite going undrafted in 2017.
Adam Butler Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Adam Butler is a descendant of children’s rights campaigner Edna Gladney, a Texas-based advocate known nationally for her work on adoption and child welfare. That family connection links Butler to a broader legacy of public service and community advocacy in Texas. Growing up in Duncanville, he was shaped by both his family’s historical roots and the local football culture of the region.
Personal Life
Adam Butler was raised in Duncanville, Texas, where he attended Duncanville High School before going on to Vanderbilt University. He has spent his professional career in the NFL, playing for franchises based in the Northeast, South Florida, and the western United States. His social media presence reflects the personal motto referenced in his Instagram handle, which speaks to the persistence that has defined his professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a new chapter for Adam Butler, who re-signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on a three-year, $16.5 million contract on March 12, 2025. That deal reflects the organization’s confidence in his production following a career-best 2024 campaign in which he recorded 65 tackles and five sacks. He is expected to remain a central piece of the Raiders’ defensive line rotation.
Butler is scheduled to play the 2025 season as a returning starter along the interior defensive line, providing veteran leadership and consistency. His ability to play the run and generate pressure on the quarterback gives the Raiders a reliable presence on early downs and in passing situations. With the multi-year contract in place, his role is expected to remain stable throughout the campaign.
Looking ahead, the outlook for Butler in 2025 is strong, given his recent production, his familiarity with the defensive scheme, and the team’s investment in him. He will look to build on his career-high tackle total from 2024 and continue to be a disruptive force in opponents’ backfields. His long-term contract ensures that his performance in 2025 will be a foundation for continued success in Las Vegas.