FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tuesday’s news that the New England Patriots don’t plan to use the franchise tag (or transition tag) on linebacker Dont’a Hightower adds some clarity to arguably the No. 1 free-agent question facing the team. The Patriots will keep an open dialogue to bring Hightower back, but ultimately the market will decide. That’s a risk they are willing to take.
Now for what many perceive as the No. 2 free-agent question: What about cornerback Malcolm Butler?
Butler is coming to the end of the three-year contract he signed as an undrafted rookie free agent out of West Alabama on May 19, 2014.