Malcolm Butler is headed to one of the many NFL destinations with obvious Patriots influences, but he won't be reuniting with Matt Patricia.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Butler has come to terms with the Titans on a five-year deal worth $61 million that includes more than $30 million guaranteed. Butler will join former Patriots teammates Logan Ryan and Josh Kline in Tennessee. Head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Jon Robinson both have Patriots influences, though neither was in New England with Butler.
For Butler, his first crack at unrestricted free agency meant his first crack at many millions of dollars. And despite being benched in the Super Bowl, that's what he'll reportedly see in Tennessee. From what we'd been told this offseason, his benching wouldn't necessarily cool his market. "One bad day," said one agent.
Though Butler's deal isn't exactly top-of-the-market -- Stephon Gilmore received a five-year deal with $40 million guaranteed last offseason -- it's close, and it will be a significant raise from the $3.9 million he made last season in New England.
According to our Mike Giardi, Butler had receieved interest from the Texans and Lions during the NFL's legal tampering period this week.
More to come . . .