Earlier today, it was reported that the New England Patriots have agreed to terms with free agency’s top cornerback, former Buffalo Bill Stephon Gilmore. The move, which reportedly will pay the 26-year old around $14.0 million per season, cast doubt on the future of the Patriots’ other cornerbacks, namely Logan Ryan (likely gone) and Malcolm Butler (read story title).
According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, Butler’s future might be outside of New England:
The New England Patriots are considering trading Malcolm Butler to the New Orleans Saints for Brandin Cooks per sources
The Patriots have expressed interest in Cooks before and reportedly offered to trade the 32nd pick of this year’s draft to New Orleans. Apparently, they might trade something else worth a first rounder to the NFC South: Their number one cornerback, who has been tendered at the first round level.
With Gilmore on the roster, the deal would make sense for the Patriots. Still, it would be tough to see Butler leave Foxboro after making one of the greatest plays in NFL history to secure the team’s fourth Super Bowl title.