New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler signed his restricted free agent tender Tuesday, reports ESPN’s Field Yates, who also noted a potential trade is still “on the table.”
The ramifications of this are potentially massive. With the tender signed, the Patriots can trade Butler, who was previously rumored to be going to the New Orleans Saints (more on that here).
Talks had previously stalled. But Butler, who wanted more money than the tender, may push for a trade. With the draft next week, there may not be a better time of year for a move to coalesce.
On the other hand, should Butler stay in New England, they likely have one of the best secondaries in the league. He and free agent signing Stephon Gilmore make up a formidable tandem at corner with Pro-Bowl safety Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon and slot corner Eric Rowe filling out the rest. That has scary potential should it come to fruition.