The Miami Dolphins hired former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as their new head coach this offseason, giving him control of a team that underachieved the last couple of years. Hafley’s experience as a defensive coach will likely have the team leaning on their defense to keep them in games while the offense develops younger players and works to find their identity.
The power of the defense starts up front, with defensive tackles imposing their will on the line of scrimmage, opening
holes for pass rushers and filling running lanes. Our next edition of the 90-in-90 series takes a look at Matthew Butler, who returns to Miami for a second year in South Florida.
Biography
Name: Matthew Butler
Number: 91
Position: Defensive tackle
Height / Weight: 6’3” / 305 pounds
Age (at start of season): 27
Experience: 5th year
- Las Vegas Raiders (2022-2024)
- Miami Dolphins (2025)
College: Tennessee
Draft: 2022 5th round (175th overall) (Las Vegas Raiders)
Acquired: 2025 offseason waiver claim from Raiders
Contract and 2026 salary cap
Contract: 1-year, $1.1 million
2026 salary cap: $1.1 million
Contract details via OverTheCap.com.
2025 review
Games played: 12 (1 start)
Tackles: 12
Butler’s 2025 season was not what the Dolphins’ coaching staff and front office were expecting when they claimed him off waivers from the Raiders. His athleticism was supposed to allow him to be a pass-rush option from the middle of the line, but it just never materialized. He was eventually surpassed on the depth chart by seventh-round rookie Zeek Biggers.
Offseason moves
Defensive linemen signings: Matthew Butler (re-signed), Keith Cooper, Jr., Rene Konga (UDFA), Kahlil Saunders (UDFA)
Waiver Claim: James Ester (Green Bay Packers)
Released: Simeon Barrow
Drafted: None
2026 expectations
Butler was slated to be a restricted free agent this offseason, but Miami elected to directly re-sign him rather than place a tender on him. Hafley’s defensive system should play more to Butler’s strengths, but he still will have to make his presence felt in training camp and the preseason if he is going to ensure himself a roster spot. Zach Sieler, Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, and Zeek Biggers are all ahead of him in the interior defensive linemen position group. Butler is in competition with Keith Cooper, Jr., Alex Huntley, James Ester, Rene Konga, and Kahlil Saunders for one or two roster spots.
Butler is probably on the roster bubble right now. He could be a player who is kept because he provides solid depth, but he could be someone Miami cuts in order to keep a younger player they can develop.
