Saints will not sign Malcolm Butler to an offer sheet

Winslow Towson/AP

Malcolm Butler has one less option regarding his future, as the New Orleans Saints will reportedly not sign the restricted free agent cornerback to an offer sheet.



The Saints are still interested in trading for Butler, however. But they won't be able to discuss a trade with the Patriots until Butler signs his restricted free agent tender. So unless another team is willing to pony up a first-round pick for him, Butler's only realistic option is to sign the tender and play under it for a year or hope the Pats trade him after he signs it.

If the Saints had signed him to an offer sheet and the Patriots decided not to match it, New Orleans would have had to part with the 11th pick in this year's draft.

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