Malcolm Butler saga with Patriots still could take a turn before resolution

New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler signed his restricted free agent tender on Tuesday.

On the surface, that means he is under contract for the 2017 season and the Patriots will pay him $3.91 million. But it means much more when you look at what is bubbling under the surface with the signing coming nine days before the draft.

Three possible scenarios for Butler (in the order of probability, according to USA TODAY Sports):

1. The Patriots work out a trade for Butler for a pick in one of the first two rounds. (The Patriots currently do not have a pick in either round.) The New Orleans Saints have shown the interest in Butler and have two first-round selections. Could the last pick of the first round, which New England sent away in a previous deal with New Orleans for wide receiver Brandin Cooks, be in play?

2. Patriots can’t work out a trade and Butler plays in New England this season. Butler won’t be happy, given that he didn’t get the big contract the team gave to free agent cornerback Stephen Gilmore, but when has that mattered to Bill Belichick?

3. The two sides agree on a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline. Uh, no.

We expect the wheels started turning in Foxborough before the ink on Butler’s signature was dry.

And, as we pointed out earlier, the Super Bowl champs loom large over Round 1, despite not currently having a pick.

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