According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, restricted free agent Malcolm Butler concluded Thursday’s meeting with the Saints without agreeing to a deal.
A source close to Rapoport told Rapoport that the meeting went well, however, with Rapoport adding that both sides are “motivated to get it done.”
The Patriots gave Butler a first-round tender, meaning that if another team signs Butler and the Patriots don’t elect to match, New England would receive that team’s first-round pick. Though the Saints own New England’s first-round pick (No. 32 overall) from the Brandin Cooks trade, the Pats would get New Orleans’ pick (No. 11) in such a scenario.
If Butler signs his tender with New England and returns for the final year of his contract, the 27-year-old will make $3.9 million.