The New Orleans Saints would love to make a trade for New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler. However, since he has yet to sign his first-round tender, the Patriots haven’t even begun discussing said trade with the Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.
Where are things with Malcolm Butler & #Saints? Progressing, with proposals changing hands. New Orleans and Butler are not far apart. But…
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2017
#Patriots have had no talks with #Saints or Butler. They won't until he signs his tender. NE may just say, sign an offer sheet & let's see.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2017
As it seems to be the case with all things Patriots, New England has the upper hand here. It stands to reason that Bill Belichick won’t bat an eyelash at keeping Butler this upcoming season, even if he’s disgruntled, as the Pats attempt to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
Besides, the Patriots already placed a first-round value on Butler, so any talk that they might be willing to take less seems moot, unless of course they also land a player in the deal.
Choice for #Patriots: Butler signs an RFA offer sheet & they match (or don't & get a 1). … Or there is no offer sheet & he plays for $3.9M
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2017
One report earlier from Monday suggested that the odds of Butler actually landing in New Orleans are roughly 50-50 (more on that here). The Saints and Butler “are not far apart” as Rapoport noted, but the Patriots are the wild card in this equation.
And we all know they don’t necessarily play nice.