Malcolm Butler could've stayed at home. He could've continued to make it clear that he wasn't happy with his contract situation. He could've let his teammates prepare for the 2017 season without him.
Instead, this week, as the Patriots began Phase 2 of their offseason training program, Butler returned to Gillette Stadium for workouts.
Because these sessions are optional, Butler would not have taken any kind of financial hit by staying away unless his absences stretched into June's mandatory minicamp. But by reporting for work he has indicated that he's ready to move on after spending the last couple of months hoping for a new deal -- whether from the Patriots or someone else.