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 ft 4 in and listed at 301 lb, he plays on the interior defensive line and has carved out a long career after entering the league as an undrafted free agent. He played college football for the Vanderbilt Commodores before launching his professional journey. Butler has built a reputation as a reliable rotational defender, contributing on early downs and in pass-rushing situations across multiple teams.
Early Life and Background
Adam Oneal Butler was born on April 12, 1994, in Duncanville, Texas, where he grew up and attended Duncanville High School. He comes from a notable family, being a descendant of children’s rights campaigner Edna Gladney, a connection that has shaped his sense of community and perseverance. Butler was a two-time captain of the Duncanville Panthers football team, earning MVP honors in his senior season. During that final year, he served as the team’s starting left tackle and blocked eight field goal attempts, showing early signs of the disruptive style he would later bring to the defensive line.
After starting at defensive end as a sophomore, Butler moved to left tackle, where he started as both a junior and a senior. That unusual path, switching between the defensive and offensive lines, gave him a deeper understanding of blocking schemes and hand technique. Rated as a 3-star offensive guard recruit, Butler attracted scholarship offers from Iowa, North Texas, Oklahoma State, and Wyoming. He ultimately chose to play college football for Vanderbilt, a program known for developing players against top-tier Southeastern Conference competition.
Path to American Football
Butler’s path to a professional career in American football began at Vanderbilt, where he redshirted his freshman year to develop physically. Going into his redshirt freshman season, the Vanderbilt coaching staff moved him from the offensive line to the defensive line, a switch that helped him find his long-term position. He played both defensive tackle and defensive end throughout his college career, giving him the versatility that has defined his pro profile. Over four seasons with the Vanderbilt Commodores, Butler appeared in 48 games with 35 starts, recording 113 total tackles, 10 sacks, two blocked extra points, and one defensive touchdown.
After his senior season, Butler entered the 2017 NFL draft as a prospect whose production outpaced his pre-draft ranking. When no team selected him, he signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017, beginning a professional journey that would take him across three organizations. His combination of size, motor, and positional flexibility made him an attractive developmental piece, and he earned a roster spot after an impressive training camp and preseason.
Adam Butler Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Butler made his regular-season debut with the New England Patriots in the team’s home opener, seeing 21 snaps and recording a tackle in a 42–27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. As a rookie, he contributed on a Patriots defense that reached Super Bowl LII, where New England fell to the Philadelphia Eagles 41–33; Butler recorded one tackle in that game. The following season, he became a more consistent presence along the defensive front, helping the Patriots return to the Super Bowl and defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13–3 in Super Bowl LIII to claim a championship ring.
Those early years established Butler as a dependable interior rusher who could line up at defensive tackle or defensive end in sub-packages. His snap count grew steadily, and his role on special teams added to his value on the 53-man roster. By the end of his first contract cycle, he had helped the Patriots to two Super Bowl appearances and one title, a remarkable start for an undrafted player.
New England Patriots Breakthrough (2017–2020)
Butler’s time in New England spanned four seasons and produced his first signature moments in the NFL. In Week 2 of the 2019 season against the Miami Dolphins, he recorded two sacks in a 43–0 Patriots win, signaling his growth as an interior pass rusher. Later that season, in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns, Butler posted a team-high two sacks on quarterback Baker Mayfield during a 27–13 victory. Those performances helped cement his role as a situational disruptor along the defensive line.
Following the 2019 campaign, Butler re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year restricted free agent contract on April 17, 2020. He continued to provide depth and pass-rushing productivity on a championship-caliber roster, finishing his Patriots tenure as a Super Bowl champion with a growing reputation around the league.
Miami Dolphins Era (2021)
On March 18, 2021, Butler signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, looking for a larger role on a rebuilding defensive line. His time in Miami, however, was cut short when he was released on August 2, 2022, because of a failed physical. Despite the limited stint, the contract reflected the league’s continued confidence in his abilities as an interior defender.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2023–Present)
On January 27, 2023, Butler signed a reserve/future contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, joining a defensive front in need of experienced depth. In his first season with the Raiders, he played all 17 games and recorded 28 tackles, five sacks, four passes defensed, and a forced fumble. The full-season availability and steady production helped him earn a longer commitment from the organization.
On March 18, 2024, Butler re-signed with the Raiders, and he responded with a career-high 65 tackles to go along with five sacks while playing in every game. His consistency and leadership on the defensive line were rewarded again on March 12, 2025, when he re-signed with Las Vegas on a three-year, $16.5 million contract that runs through the 2028 season. That deal reflects his standing as a core piece of the Raiders’ defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Butler’s career milestone moment came with New England’s victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, earning him a championship ring as an undrafted free agent. He has since passed 250 career tackles and 25 career sacks, joining a select group of undrafted interior defenders to post such totals. His career-high 65-tackle season in 2024 with the Raiders underscored his durability, having played all 17 games in consecutive seasons with Las Vegas.
Adam Butler Career Wins
Adam Oneal Butler has built a steady resume of team and individual achievements since entering the NFL in 2017. His biggest team triumph came as a member of the Super Bowl LIII champion New England Patriots, capping a remarkable rise from undrafted free agent to title holder. Along the way, he has accumulated 256 total tackles, 28 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 18 pass deflections, numbers that reflect both his longevity and his impact in the backfield.
New England Patriots Highlights
With the Patriots, Butler appeared in two Super Bowls, including the Super Bowl LIII victory over the Los Angeles Rams. He recorded multiple multi-sack games during his New England tenure, including two-sack performances against the Miami Dolphins in 2019 and the Cleveland Browns later that season. Those games helped establish his identity as a disruptive interior pass rusher on one of the league’s most successful defenses of the era.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond team success, Butler has earned recognition through consistent individual production. His career-high 65-tackle season with the Raiders in 2024, paired with five sacks, marked his most complete year as a pro. Earlier, his 5-sack, 28-tackle debut campaign with Las Vegas in 2023 showed that his pass-rushing skill would translate to a new defensive scheme.
Adam Butler Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Adam Oneal Butler was raised in Duncanville, Texas, in a family with a notable social legacy. He is a descendant of children’s rights campaigner Edna Gladney, a connection that has shaped his values away from football. His rise from Duncanville High School captain to a multi-year NFL starter reflects the discipline and resilience associated with that family background.
Personal Life
Off the field, Butler is known by the social media handle that reflects his work ethic, continuing to share glimpses of his training and family life with supporters. He has maintained ties to his hometown of Duncanville even as his career has taken him from New England to Miami and finally to Las Vegas.
2025 Season Performance
Adam Oneal Butler enters the 2025 NFL season firmly entrenched as a starter along the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive line after signing a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension in March 2025. Coming off a career-best 65-tackle, 5-sack campaign in 2024, he is expected to again serve as a full-time contributor on early downs and a key piece of the team’s pass-rushing rotation. The continuity of his role offers the Raiders stability as they build around a veteran interior defender.
Through the 2025 season, Butler’s responsibilities include occupying blockers, pressuring opposing quarterbacks, and anchoring the run defense in the middle of the line. His track record of availability, having played every game in his first two Raiders seasons, gives the coaching staff a reliable foundation to lean on week to week. As the Raiders continue their push for a return to postseason contention, his production and leadership will be central to the defensive outlook.
