Adam Oneal Butler Bio
Adam Oneal Butler is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 12, 1994, in Duncanville, Texas, Butler played college football for the Vanderbilt Commodores before signing with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft. Throughout his NFL career, Butler has established himself as a reliable presence on the defensive line, most notably contributing to the Patriots’ Super Bowl LIII championship. He currently anchors the Raiders’ defensive tackle rotation on a three-year, $16.5 million contract.
Early Life and Background
Adam Oneal Butler grew up in Duncanville, Texas, where he attended Duncanville High School. He descended from Edna Gladney, a notable children’s rights campaigner. During his high school career, Butler began as a defensive end as a sophomore before transitioning to left tackle, where he started during his junior and senior seasons. His versatility and impact on the field were evident from an early stage.
Butler served as a two-time captain of the Duncanville Panthers football team and earned MVP honors during his senior season. That year, he made an extraordinary 8 field goal blocks while serving as the team’s starting left tackle. Despite his success on the field, Butler received limited recruiting attention, rated as only a 3-star offensive guard recruit coming out of high school.
Path to the NFL
Despite modest recruiting interest, Butler chose to continue his football career at Vanderbilt University. He committed to play for the Vanderbilt Commodores over offers from several programs including Iowa, North Texas, Oklahoma State, and Wyoming. Butler redshirted his freshman season at Vanderbilt before making a significant position change that would define his collegiate career.
Coaches moved Butler from the offensive line to the defensive line going into his redshirt freshman season. He developed into a versatile defender, playing both defensive tackle and defensive end throughout his four years at Vanderbilt. In 48 games with 35 starts across his collegiate career, Butler accumulated 113 total tackles, 10 sacks, two blocked extra points, and one defensive touchdown. His transition to defense and consistent production made him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams.
Adam Oneal Butler Career
New England Patriots (2017–2020)
Butler signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2017. Despite not being drafted, he impressed coaches during training camp and the preseason, earning a spot on the Patriots’ 53-man roster. He was active for the Patriots’ regular season home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, seeing 21 snaps and recording a tackle in the 42–27 loss.
His rookie season ended with a trip to Super Bowl LII, where the Patriots fell to the Philadelphia Eagles 41–33. Butler recorded one tackle during the playoff run. The following season proved more successful, as Butler and the Patriots returned to the Super Bowl and defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3 in Super Bowl LIII, giving Butler his first championship ring.
During the 2019 season, Butler recorded multiple-sack performances, including a two-sack game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 during a 43–0 Patriots victory, and a two-sack performance against the Cleveland Browns in Week 8, helping the team win 27–13. He re-signed with the Patriots on April 17, 2020, on a one-year restricted free agent contract before his departure from the team.
Miami Dolphins (2021)
On March 18, 2021, Butler signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. However, his tenure with the team was short-lived. On August 2, 2022, the Dolphins released Butler due to a failed physical, ending his time with the organization after limited games played.
Las Vegas Raiders (2023–Present)
Butler signed a reserve/future contract with the Las Vegas Raiders on January 27, 2023, joining his third NFL team. He played all 17 games during the 2023 season, recording 28 tackles, five sacks, four passes defensed, and one forced fumble. His performance demonstrated his ability to remain a productive NFL player.
On March 18, 2024, Butler re-signed with the Raiders. The 2024 season saw him play in every game while recording a career-high 65 tackles along with five sacks, showing consistent production on the Raiders’ defensive line. His strong season earned him another contract extension with the organization.
On March 12, 2025, Butler signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract with the Raiders, securing his place with the team through the 2028 season. The deal reflected the team’s confidence in his leadership and production on the defensive line.
Playing Style and Strengths
Butler has established himself as a versatile defensive tackle capable of playing multiple techniques along the defensive line. His experience converting from offensive guard to defensive line at Vanderbilt translated well to the NFL, where he uses his 6-foot-4 frame and functional strength to anchor against the run while also pressuring quarterbacks. His consistency is demonstrated by his ability to remain healthy and productive, playing 17 games in multiple seasons with the Raiders.
Notable Events and Milestones
The highlight of Butler’s career came early when he won Super Bowl LIII with the New England Patriots, defeating the Los Angeles Rams 13–3. He also appeared in Super Bowl LII during his rookie season. His career-high 65 tackles in 2024 with the Raiders marked a new personal best in his NFL career, and his five-sack seasons with Miami and Las Vegas show his continued ability to impact the passing game.
Adam Oneal Butler Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2017 to present, Butler has accumulated 256 career tackles, 28 sacks, 18 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery across regular season play. He has been a consistent contributor, appearing in over 100 career games.
NFL Statistics Highlights
Butler’s career totals include 256 regular season tackles and 28 sacks through the 2025 season. His best statistical season came in 2024 with the Raiders, recording a career-high 65 tackles. He has recorded multiple-sack games throughout his career, including notable performances against the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns. Butler has appeared in the postseason, including both Super Bowl appearances with the Patriots.
Career Overview
Over his nine NFL seasons, Butler has played for three franchises, demonstrating versatility and durability. His career trajectory shows consistent production, with his 2024 season representing his highest tackle total. His ability to remain productive through multiple team tenures highlights his value as a professional defensive tackle in the league.
| Season | Team | Tackles | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | New England Patriots | 15 | 1 |
| 2018 | New England Patriots | 25 | 2 |
| 2019 | New England Patriots | 30 | 4 |
| 2020 | New England Patriots | 22 | 3 |
| 2021 | Miami Dolphins | 35 | 4 |
| 2022 | Miami Dolphins | 12 | 2 |
| 2023 | Las Vegas Raiders | 28 | 5 |
| 2024 | Las Vegas Raiders | 65 | 5 |
| 2025 | Las Vegas Raiders | 24 | 2 |
Adam Oneal Butler Family
Family Background
Adam Oneal Butler comes from a notable family background, being a descendant of Edna Gladney, a prominent children’s rights campaigner. Butler was born and raised in Duncanville, Texas, where he attended Duncanville High School and began his football journey that would eventually lead him to the NFL.
Personal Life
Butler maintains a presence on social media, with an Instagram account under the handle @il_never_quit, reflecting his personal motto and approach to his career. He continues to reside with the Las Vegas Raiders organization. Beyond his football career, Butler’s family legacy connects him to an important figure in American children’s welfare history.
2025 Season Performance
Adam Butler entered the 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders following his March contract extension worth $16.5 million over three years. The new contract demonstrated the Raiders’ commitment to retaining experienced defensive talent. Butler has continued his consistent production as a starting defensive tackle, appearing in all games through the season while contributing to the Raiders’ defensive front.
The Raiders’ defensive scheme has featured Butler as a key component along the interior defensive line. His leadership and veteran presence provide stability for a defense that has relied on his ability to both stop the run and pressure the quarterback. Through the 2025 season, Butler has accumulated 24 tackles and 2 sacks, maintaining his streak of productive seasons.