Matthew Edward Butler Bio
Matthew Edward Butler is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2017 to 2021 before entering the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick in 2022. Butler began his professional career with the Las Vegas Raiders before joining the Miami Dolphins in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Butler was born on June 10, 1999, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He attended Garner Magnet High School in Garner, North Carolina, where he played high school football for the Trojans. As a senior at Garner Magnet, Butler recorded 96 tackles and 26 sacks, demonstrating his disruptive ability as a pass rusher at the high school level.
His standout performance in high school attracted attention from college programs across the country. Butler ultimately decided to continue his football career closer to home, committing to play at the University of Tennessee. He arrived in Knoxville as a promising defensive line prospect with the tools to develop into a productive collegiate player.
Path to Professional Football
Butler played for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2017 to 2021, a period that saw three different head coaches guide the program: Butch Jones, Jeremy Pruitt, and Josh Heupel. Despite the coaching turnover, Butler steadily developed his game and carved out a significant role in the Volunteers defensive line rotation.
Over his five collegiate seasons, Butler appeared in 52 games with 25 starts, accumulating 152 tackles and 9.5 sacks. His consistency and durability were notable aspects of his college career, as he became a reliable presence in the middle of Tennessee’s defense. His production as a senior, in particular, showed his readiness for the next level, though his overall body of work throughout his college career demonstrated steady improvement.
Entering the 2022 NFL Draft, Butler’s combination of size, experience playing in a Power Five conference, and proven track record of production made him an intriguing mid-round prospect for teams seeking defensive line depth.
Matthew Edward Butler Career
Las Vegas Raiders (2022–2024)
Butler was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 175th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The selection gave the Raiders a developmental defensive tackle with experience playing multiple techniques along the interior line. He made his NFL debut in Week 3 of the 2022 season against the Tennessee Titans, his home-state team, and appeared in six games during his rookie season.
The 2023 season brought roster fluctuations for Butler. He was waived by the Raiders on August 29, 2023, but was re-signed to the practice squad shortly after. His consistent effort and development earned him a promotion to the active roster on January 6, 2024. He continued to work within the Raiders organization through the 2024 season, seeing action in games while honing his craft at the professional level.
After the 2024 season, Butler remained with the Raiders into the 2025 league year. He re-signed with the team on March 26, 2025, but was waived on May 12, 2025. The move marked the end of his three-year tenure in Las Vegas, during which he accumulated valuable NFL experience and continued developing as a professional.
Miami Dolphins (2025–Present)
Butler’s career took a new direction when he was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins on May 13, 2025. Joining the Dolphins gave Butler an opportunity to compete for playing time in a different defensive scheme within the AFC. He transitioned to his new team during the 2025 offseason program and OTAs.
Butler demonstrated his continued commitment to earning a roster spot, and the Dolphins recognized his potential value as depth along their defensive line. On March 12, 2026, Butler re-signed with the Dolphins, indicating the organization viewed him as part of their long-term plans. This re-signing reflected his ability to contribute to the Dolphins defense and his integration into the team’s culture.
Playing Style and Strengths
Butler operates as a defensive tackle, leveraging his 6-foot-3, 305-pound frame to occupy blockers and collapse pockets from the interior. His collegiate production, particularly his sack totals, showcases his ability to generate pressure up the middle. He brings experience playing in various defensive front configurations, having adapted to three different coaching philosophies during his time at Tennessee. His durability, evidenced by appearing in 52 college games over five seasons, indicates he can handle the physical demands of the NFL schedule.
Notable Events and Milestones
Butler’s NFL journey includes several notable milestones, from his draft day selection in 2022 to his transition to the Dolphins roster in 2025. His debut against his home-state Tennessee Titans in Week 3 of his rookie season represented a full-circle moment given his North Carolina roots. Throughout his early career, he has demonstrated resilience by fighting through roster transactions to remain in the NFL.
Matthew Edward Butler Career Statistics
Butler has appeared in multiple NFL games across three seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders and Miami Dolphins. His professional career statistics reflect his role as a rotational defensive tackle who contributes primarily against the run and provides interior pass rush on passing downs.
NFL Statistics
Through the 2024 NFL season, Butler recorded 15 total tackles and 0.5 sacks in his professional career. His tackle production came primarily during his time with the Raiders, where he saw action in a reserve role along the defensive line. The partial sack credited to Butler represents a shared sack with a teammate, highlighting the collaborative nature of pass rush production along the interior.
College Statistics
Butler left Tennessee as a productive four-year contributor, appearing in 52 games with 25 starts. He finished his collegiate career with 152 tackles and 9.5 sacks, averaging approximately 2.5 tackles for loss per season. His consistent production over five seasons made him one of the more reliable defensive linemen in the Tennessee program during his tenure.
Matthew Edward Butler Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public records do not provide detailed information about Butler’s family background, including his parents or extended family connections to athletics. He has not publicly discussed family members involved in sports or racing.
Personal Life
Butler maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his verified Twitter account @mattbutler_45 and Instagram account @matthewbutler.94. He has not publicly disclosed information about a spouse or children as of available records. Butler continues to reside with his football career as his primary focus, spending the offseason maintaining his conditioning and studying the Dolphins defensive scheme.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Butler as he joined the Miami Dolphins organization. Claimed off waivers from the Raiders in May 2025, Butler had limited time to learn the Dolphins defensive playbook before the regular season began. He competed for a roster spot throughout training camp and the preseason, showcasing his versatility as an interior defender.
Butler’s transition to the Dolphins presented both challenges and opportunities. Learning a new defensive system under a different coaching staff required adjustments in his technique and assignment recognition. However, his experience with multiple coaching transitions at Tennessee prepared him to adapt relatively quickly to new systems and expectations.
Looking ahead, Butler’s re-signing with the Dolphins in March 2026 indicated the organization believed in his ability to contribute going forward. The 2026 season will likely present an opportunity for Butler to establish himself more firmly within the Dolphins defense and potentially earn a larger role in the rotation along the defensive line.