Hakeem Butler came into Broncos camp with some real momentum, but the early buzz around him has started to fade fast.
Denver was the first NFL team to dip into the UFL this offseason, and it didn’t just take a flyer on any name. The Broncos signed Butler, last year’s UFL Offensive Player of the Year and a former fourth-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals, hoping his dominant run would finally carry over to the NFL.
That’s been the story with Butler for a while now. Since entering the league in 2019, he’s kept getting chances without locking down a lasting role. Arizona moved on from him early in the 2020 season, and his path since then has included stops with the Panthers, Eagles, Steelers and Bengals, along with time in other pro leagues.
This summer, though, it looked like maybe something had changed. Butler flashed during mandatory minicamp in June, then opened training camp with a few eye-catching plays that suggested he might be pushing for a real roster spot.
Lately, though, the tone around him has shifted.
“#Broncos WR Hakeem Butler had a standout first couple days of camp but has had a couple really low-effort reps today. Just got beat by much smaller CB Brent Austin on go-it-get it free-play ball
Austin continues to have a nice camp. 5’11 UDFA CB from Cal
- Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) August 4, 2026”
Just days earlier, Luca Evans of The Denver Post had already pointed out some “really low-effort reps” from Butler in practice. Then on Friday, Butler missed a block that could have sprung Marvin Mims Jr. for a bigger gain, and later had the ball punched out by rookie linebacker Red Murdock.
That’s the kind of stretch that gets attention when you’re trying to survive in a crowded receiver room.
To be clear, Butler has made plays this camp. Those moments matter, and they’re part of why there was optimism in the first place. But there’s a difference between living with an occasional drop and watching effort, blocking and ball security become recurring issues.
And those details matter even more for a receiver who stands 6-foot-5. Butler’s size gives him the chance to be more than a downfield target. On a team like Denver, he has to show he can help in the run game, spring teammates after the catch and do the unglamorous work that keeps him on the field.
The preseason is going to be a big test for him. A couple rough practices won’t end his shot, but if the same issues show up in games, the Broncos won’t wait around. With the mistakes starting to pile up, Butler’s hold on a roster spot suddenly feels a lot less secure.
In Other News...
Dre Greenlaw Just Opened Up On Why His Broncos Stint Fell Apart
Dre Greenlaws lone season in Denver never really got a chance to settle in. The linebacker said injuries and a suspension helped turn what should have been a fresh start into a frustrating year, with a severe quad strain early in OTAs knocking him off track before he could build momentum in the Broncos system. He spent time on injured reserve and appeared in only eight games, leaving both sides with more questions than answers about how the fit was supposed to work.
Greenlaw said he takes responsibility for how it unfolded, even as he pointed to the difficulty of adjusting to a new environment while trying to get healthy. After Denver moved on from him in March, he was able to return to the place where he made his name, signing a one-year deal with the 49ers. For the Broncos, it is another reminder of how quickly an offseason plan can unravel when health and timing never line up. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Rookies Are Already Turning Up The Training Camp Pressure
The Broncos 2026 rookie class has wasted little time making camp more interesting, with several newcomers already forcing the coaching staff to take a longer look. Defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim has stood out enough to put himself in position to help the rotation up front, while running back Jonah Coleman has drawn praise from Sean Payton for both his performance and conditioning as the days in camp have started to sort out who is ahead and who still has work to do.
Elsewhere, Casey is in the middle of a battle for a guard spot, and tight end Joly has been working to sharpen his game while waiting for more chances in the passing game. It is the kind of early competition that can shape the back end of a roster before the preseason even fully settles in, and for Denver the encouraging part is that its rookies are already adding pressure in more than one spot. [Read more 🡒]
Red Murdock Is Already Flashing A Skill Broncos Fans Will Notice
Red Murdock did not arrive in Denver with much draft-day fanfare as the Broncos final pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but he has already started showing the kind of disruptive traits that can earn a rookie linebacker a quicker look. During a recent training camp session, Murdock made his presence felt by creating a fumble in a 7-on-7 drill and later turning in a notable tackle for loss, the sort of plays that stand out when a young defender is trying to carve out a role.
For a Broncos team counting on him as reserve depth behind veterans and other young linebackers, those moments matter more than a typical camp rep. Murdocks path to snaps is still crowded, but the early signs are encouraging for a player whose calling card has to be making offenses uncomfortable whenever he gets a chance. [Read more 🡒]