Malcolm Butler doesn't have a team up to this time. The 27-year old New England Patriots cornerback seems to be looking for a team that will perfectly suit for him next season. And one team that have actively pursued him is the New Orleans Saints, who are eager to bounce back from their last season performance.
There is no doubt that Malcolm Butler is one of the best cornerbacks that is surprisingly available in the free agency market as of this moment. He became a restricted free agent after 2016 NFL season but the New England Patriots already gave him a first-round tender worth $3.91 million which until now he hasn't sign yet.
Malcolm Butler has been instrumental for the New England Patriots in their championship run last season. He appeared and started in all 16 regular season games for the Patriots producing 63 total tackles and seventeen passes defended. And with him still unsigned, the New Orleans Saints are making a run to acquire his services.
According to The Boston Globe, Malcolm Butler and the New Orleans Saints have met Thursday to work on a deal and convince Butler to join the team next season. Butler got a chance to talk to Saints officials and coaching staff and sources say that the meeting went well but no deal was finalized. But there are notions that both sides remain "motivated to get it done" in the coming days.
If ever Malcolm Butler agrees to sign a contract with the New Orleans Saints, the New England Patriots still have the chance to match it. And if ever the Patriots fail to match it, they will get the first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in the coming NFL draft.
In three seasons with the New England Patriots, Malcolm Butler registered 145 total tackles, 35 pass deflections, six interceptions with 1 sack. He was also selected as a Pro Bowler in 2015 and voted as a Second-team All-Pro last season.
Will Malcolm Butler and the New Orleans Saints be able to come up with an agreement? Or will Butler stay with the New England Patriots and help the team to another title run next season?
