The Guy Who Beat Our Sea Dragons at Lumen Field Is Now a Bronco, and the AFC West Better Watch Out
Alright, Seattle, listen up, because this one hits a little too close to home! You remember that dude, Hakeem Butler? Yeah, the receiver who was tearing it up for the St. Louis Battlehawks, including when they came into Lumen Field and handed our Sea Dragons a 20-18 loss? Well, NFL Network just dropped the bomb on Monday: that same UFL star is signing with the Denver Broncos. My jaw is still on the floor, because this guy is no joke, and now he's in our division!
From UFL Dominance to the Mile High City
Seriously, this isn't just some camp body they're picking up. Butler, who turned the big 3-0 last month, has been an absolute force in the spring league. We're talking about a two-time UFL Offensive Player of the Year. He snagged that award in 2024 and then again just this season in 2026. This year, he absolutely led the UFL, racking up an insane 641 yards on 29 catches, and hauling in three touchdowns for the Battlehawks. The dude is a certified playmaker, and now he's bringing that electric talent to a team we have to play twice a year. You kidding me?!
🎲 Want to Make Tonight's Game More Interesting?
Kalshi lets you trade on real sports outcomes — not just spreads. It's the only federally regulated prediction market in the US, and it's available right here in Washington state.
New users get a FREE $10 just for signing up — no deposit required to claim it.
👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiThe Long Road Back to the NFL
It's been a journey for Butler, no doubt. The Arizona Cardinals originally drafted the 6-foot-5 receiver in the fourth round back in 2019 out of Iowa State. He got a couple of looks with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, but mostly on special teams, playing 29 of his 30 snaps there and not catching a single pass. After that, he bounced around practice squads with the Carolina Panthers in 2020, the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, and the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024. He even had stints north of the border in the CFL with the BC Lions and Edmonton Elks in 2022. But ever since he joined the Battlehawks in 2023, he's been lights out. The guy is the UFL's career leader with a mind-boggling 2,192 receiving yards. He clearly learned how to dominate, and now the Broncos are banking on that translating.
Butler is set to join the Broncos for their mandatory minicamp, which kicks off on Tuesday. Our Seahawks, with Mike Macdonald at the helm and Brian Fleury calling plays for Sam Darnold and guys like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp, need to be ready. You know Denver is looking to make some noise, and adding a proven, albeit unconventional, threat like Butler could be a real wildcard in the AFC West. Keep your eyes peeled, 12s, because this UFL star could be making some noise right in our backyard this season. Go Hawks!
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about Hakeem Butler.
View X conversation →DFS Pick'em
📋 Chalkboard: 100% Deposit Match Up to $100 + a Free Square on Your First Entry
Use code ONTAP to lock in this offer.
👉 Double your first deposit on ChalkboardSponsored. Must be 18+. Terms apply.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.