Raiders to bring back key DT on three-year deal

Adam Butler is staying.

The Las Vegas Raiders will re-sign the defensive tackle to a three-year deal with $16.5 million with $11 million guaranteed, according to NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport.

It is a big get for the Raiders, who avoided Butler from hitting the free-agent market where he could have commanded bigger money. He recently told Sports Illustrated Raiders insider Hondo Carpenter that it would be a "dream come true" to continue to play for the Raiders and head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek.

Without DT Christian Wilkins, who was lost for the season because of a foot injury, Butler stepped into the role and proved his worth when he finished with five sacks, one forced fumble and two pass deflections along with 65 tackles. 

Butler indicated he enjoys playing alongside four-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby, who received a three-year, $106.5 million contract extension with $91.5 million guaranteed recently. He got his wish to remain with the Raiders and continue to be teammates with Crosby. It was an important signing because Butler has shown he can get the job done for the Raiders and step into a role that he is familiar with.

The Raiders needed to solidify their interior rush by re-signing Butler, who flourished under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Now the Raiders can continue to focus on re-signing other key defensive players that could hit the free agency, such as safety Tre'von Moehrig and linebacker Robert Spillane. The legal tampering period begins Monday before the start of free agency on March 12.