The New England Patriots and their restricted free agent cornerback Malcolm Butler seems to be heading to a split, with the recent events pointing towards Malcolm Butler signing with a different team. Malcolm Butler and the New England Patriots have been at odds with regards to a contract extension since last year. It only got worse when the New England Patriots signed both cornerback Stephon Gilmore and middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower to huge contracts. With the recent series of events, everybody expects Malcolm Butler leave the New England Patriots. Everybody except for one NFL writer, Mike Lombardi.
According to Mike Lombardi, he doesn't think that Malcolm Butler will leave the New England Patriots, as reported by CBS Boston. Mike Lombardi is a former New England Patriots assistant. Mike Lombardi is currently a staff writer for The Ringer.
During The Ringer's NFL Podcast last Thursday, Mike Lombardi said that Malcolm Butler would be back with the New England Patriots in 2017, with hopes of getting a big contract when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2018.
"I think Malcolm Butler signs his tender, goes to New England, and puts the onus on New England," Mike Lombardi said on the podcast. "'Play great, I'll make a huge deal next year. I'll be 28 in March. I'll make a huge deal out on the open market.' New England's not going to franchise him."
Mike Lombardi also added that in his opinion, it doesn't make sense for the New Orleans Saints to trade away a high first round draft pick in this year's NFL Draft to the New England Patriots to acquire Malcolm Butler. For Mike Lombardi, the New Orleans Saints are better off to draft and develop a young cornerback instead of trading away that pick for a 27-year-old Malcolm Butler.
Malcolm Butler has already made a visit to the New Orleans Saints on Thursday. Despite reports that the meeting went well, no deal has been finalized, via a report from the Boston Globe.
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