Cornerback Malcolm Butler signed his free agent tender. The New England Patriots star made a name for himself when he made a championship-clinching interception in Super Bowl XLIX.
Source: Patriots CB Malcolm Butler has signed his restricted free agent tender. A trade is still on the table.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 18, 2017
The Patriots have reportedly explored off-season trade options for Butler, after signing free agent corner Stephon Gilmore. The report from Field Yates indicates that this is still a possibility, even with Butler signed to a reasonable tender.
Malcolm Butler Signs
Butler was acquired by the Patriots in 2014 after he went undrafted out of West Alabama. He played in just 11 games that season. Of those 11 games, he only made one start. He recorded just 15 tackles in his rookie season.
He entered the national spotlight when he intercepted a pass from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson at the goal line in the closing seconds of Super Bowl XLIX. The interception clinched the Patriots fourth Super Bowl title in franchise history.
Butler was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2015. He recorded 67 tackles and two interceptions. He also did a good job in coverage, shutting down opposing receivers every shot he got.
Butler stepped his game up more in the 2016 season, his third in the league. He recorded 63 tackles and four interceptions. He may have been in the Pro Bowl had he not been preparing for a bigger game.
The Patriots played in the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons. They were facing off against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
The Patriots had to overcome a 28-3 third quarter deficit to knock off the Atlanta Falcons to win the Super Bowl. Butler wasn’t the hero he was in Super Bowl XLIX, however. He only recorded two tackles in Super Bowl LI.
Before signing with the Patriots in 2014, Butler was working at a Popeyes chicken restaurant. His life story from Popeyes to playing a big part in a Super Bowl is being made into a feature film. The movie will be called The Secondary. No release date has been set.
