The Patriots reportedly were still interested in re-signing cornerback Malcolm Butler this offseason — even after the Super Bowl LII debacle.
Butler, who ended up inking a five-year, $61 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, played the first four seasons of his career in New England before becoming a free agent at the conclusion of last season. Despite the unsavory ending to an otherwise productive year, the Patriots reportedly advised Butler’s agent, Derek Simpson, to reach out to them if he didn’t receive an acceptable offer from other suitors. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots could have paid the 28-year-old “around $10 million a year.