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Patriots Rumors: Malcolm Butler Meeting with New Orleans Saints

By Nick Ziegler

Aug 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) walks off the field after defeating the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) walks off the field after defeating the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Recent New England Patriots rumors are that cornerback Malcolm Butler is negotiating a deal with the New Orleans Saints.

Most New England Patriots rumors this offseason have been surrounding cornerback Malcolm Butler. Coming into the offseason, Butler was a restricted free agent for the Patriots.

Due to him being restricted, his options this offseason were rather limited. The real shock for Butler came when the Patriots signed Stephon Gilmore to a massive deal as a free agent. Gilmore has been a good cornerback for the Buffalo Bills, and the Patriots decided to invest in him long-term.

The decision to sign Gilmore understandably made Butler upset. After making just $600,000 last season, Butler was one of the best bargains in the entire NFL. Due to the Patriots not giving him a contract similar to Gilmore, Butler has become frustrated with the team.

One of the teams that have been interested in Butler this offseason has been the New Orleans Saints. There were discussions between the Saints and the Patriots for a deal that would have sent Butler to New Orleans for wide receiver Brandin Cooks. The Patriots eventually traded for Cooks, but they held on to Butler.

Now, Butler is visiting with the Saints to negotiate a contract. If the Saints and Butler are able to reach an agreement on a contract, they will then work a deal with the Patriots to trade for Butler. There are a few different scenarios that could happen to get Butler on the Saints.

If the Saints offer Butler a contract, the Patriots would have the right to either match it, or they would receive the Saints’ 11th overall pick in the draft. Also, Butler could sign his restricted free agent tender, and then a trade could be negotiated with the Saints.

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Even though Butler is a good player, it would be hard to imagine that the Saints would part ways with their 11th overall pick. Even though Butler has been a key player for the Patriots in recent years, it appears that he might be playing elsewhere next season.

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