Carolina Panthers to grant try out UFL superstar WR Hakeem Butler

The Carolina Panthers granted St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Hakeem Butler a tryout as mandatory workouts kickoff.

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Feb 23, 2023; Seattle, WA, USA; St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Hakeem Butler (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Sea Dragons during the second half at Lumen Field. St. Louis defeated Seattle 20-18. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Image via Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers are looking to add some additional depth at wide receiver. 

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that UFL star and St. Louis Battlehawks wide receiver Hakeem Butler has a workout planned with the Panthers. 

The workout is planned for before the summer break. Butler was the UFL's Offensive Player of the Year for 2024. He led the league in receiving yards with 642. Additionally, he compiled the second-most receiving touchdowns with five. 

Butler isn't exactly a new name. He spent a short stint on the Panthers practice squad during the 2020 season. The veteran wide receiver was then signed by the Philadelphia Eagles shortly after that. 

Butler has been around several various teams in and out of the NFL. He has also played in the CFL with the BC Lions and Edmonton Elks before playing for the St. Louis BattleHawks.


Panthers wide receiver depth chart

Jun 4, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) throws during OTAs. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 4, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) throws during OTAs.Image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

If Butler makes the Panthers' final roster, he would join a retooled wide receiver group. 

Carolina traded for former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson. He has high-end receiver No. 1 ability.

Through the draft, Carolina also added Xavier Legette, a highly skilled athlete out of the University of South Carolina. 

Veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen is also returning after having a 1,000-catch season. Filling out the rest of the wide receiver position are names like Jonathan Mingo, Terrace Marshall Jr., Ihmir Smith-Marsette,  Cam Sims, Mike Strachan David Moore, Sam Pinckney and Jalen Coker.

Butler would be a nice addition to an interesting group of athletes predicated on making second-year quarterback Bryce Young's life a little easier.