Report: Malcolm Butler will miss Patriots’ voluntary workouts

Malcolm Butler may have signed his restricted free agent tender with the New England Patriots, but that does not necessarily mean he will begin working out with the team.

CSN New England’s Michael Giardi reports that Butler has “no intention” of working out with the Patriots despite signing his tender.

As of now, Malcolm Butler has no intention of working out with the Pats in Foxboro, despite signing his tender.

— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 18, 2017

Reports emerged on Tuesday saying that Butler signed his tender, which is worth $3.91 million for 2017. Butler previously would not sign his tender in order to block a potential trade as he was seeking a long-term deal.

Butler was one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL last season and is still seeking a long-term deal. He could get it from New Orleans. The Saints may end up acquiring Butler as part of a trade in which the Pats would receive the No. 32 pick back that was exchanged in the Brandin Cooks trade. The Saints did not want to sign Butler to an offer sheet because had the Patriots not matched it, New Orleans would have been forced to surrender their No. 11 overall pick in the upcoming draft as compensation.

Now that Butler has signed his tender, the Saints and Patriots can work out a deal for Butler that wouldn’t necessarily involve the No. 11 pick that the Saints didn’t want to lose.