As expected, the Patriots have slapped cornerback Malcolm Butler with a first-round tender, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). The value of this tender is worth $3.9MM.
The Patriots now have the opportunity to match any offer sheet the defensive back receives, and they’ll be compensated with a first-round pick if the player signs elsewhere.
The former undrafted free agent broke onto the scene with his Super Bowl-winning interception during the 2014 season. Since then, Butler has established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. The 27-year-old finished the 2016 season with 63 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and four interceptions, and PFF ranked him as the seventh-best cornerback in the NFL.
The Patriots will presumably do everything in their power to retain Butler, especially since fellow cornerback Logan Ryan is also a free agent. If the duo left, the team would be forced to rely on Eric Rowe, Justin Coleman, Cyrus Jones, and Jonathan Jones.
He could never leave and he shouldn’t want to leave either