ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals’ Vance Joseph on possible Malcolm Butler return: ‘We’ll see’

Sep 9, 2021, 1:35 PM

Cornerback Malcolm Butler looks on during the Cardinals' first day of voluntary OTAs on Wednesday, ...

Cornerback Malcolm Butler looks on during the Cardinals' first day of voluntary OTAs on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

(Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

Cornerback Malcolm Butler’s sudden retirement coming on the last day of August threw the Arizona Cardinals a curveball that most outside the organization didn’t realize.

He’s officially on the reserve/retired list, but that doesn’t mean the door is completely slammed shut on a possible return.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph was asked Thursday if he could see Butler back with the Cardinals.

“I’m not sure,” Joseph said. “We’ll see.”

While the exact reason behind Butler’s decision is still not clear, Joseph did provide more information Thursday, putting aside the thought the cornerback’s departure might be performance-related.

“No, he was playing fine, he was improving every day and he was gonna be a big part of what we did this year,” Joseph said.

“Last week we talked a little bit, he’s taking care of some personal stuff and that’s important,” Joseph added. “Obviously, football is a big part of his life but his life’s more important than football.”

Butler was signed this offseason to lead a new-look cornerbacks room alongside Byron Murphy and Robert Alford.

Now, with him on the retired list, that leaves rookie Marco Wilson the most likely candidate to pick up the pieces. Arizona also has Luq Barcoo and Tay Gowan at its disposal.

“We have three or four guys that we like. Obviously, Murph is one of those guys. And Robert, after being on [the COVID-19 list] for a week, he looks good. Marco’s, obviously, been a good surprise for us, being a young player and later-round pick.

“So, so far so good. We feel good about those three guys and we picked up Barcoo from Jacksonville. He’s a young corner who’s got production in college, fits the profile, so we feel good about him also.”

Despite Joseph’s good feels about the cornerback room, there’s still a handful of questions as the Cardinals get closer to their Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

Talk about a test for the secondary as a whole, with Julio Jones and A.J. Brown leading the Titans’ aerial attack. Brown is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, while Jones has posted at least 1,000 yards in all but three seasons over the course of 10 years.

“It could be anyone out there on the corner,” Joseph said. “You gotta have a plan to contain those guys, so not just for Marco but for all of our corners.

“No one can cover those guys one-on-one for an entire game. That’s what having a plan, regardless of who the corner’s gonna be, it’s gonna be my job.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Cardinals’ Vance Joseph on possible Malcolm Butler return: ‘We’ll see’