Malcolm Butler reportedly has finally signed his tender with the New England Patriots, which could help pave the way for a trade.
Butler’s tender was as a restricted free agent and will pay him $3.91 million next season. The Patriots cornerback was facing a Friday deadline to sign it.
Butler previously refused to sign his tender in order to block a potential trade, as the Pats did not hold his rights. He is still seeking a long-term deal and a trade to the New Orleans Saints may still be likely, especially now that the Saints will not have to forfeit their high first-round pick (No. 11 overall) in order to get the CB.
Had the Saints signed Butler to an offer sheet, they would have had to surrender their No. 11 pick to New England if the Patriots didn’t match the offer. Now that Butler has signed his tender, the Saints no longer have to worry about losing the No. 11 pick as compensation.
News of Butler signing his tender was first reported by ESPN’s Field Yates.
