Do you think Malcolm Butler will get an extension this year?

[ctpatsfan77]

It's obviously a very important question.

The Patriots don't need to do anything with Butler's contract this year; he'd become an RFA next year, which would allow Butler to test the market and potentially let another team set his value.

OTOH, the Patriots have frequently signed pending RFA players to deals bridging the RFA year (e.g., Bolden and, if memory serves, Kyle Love), and sometimes they've signed them to long-term extensions (e.g., Ryan Allen).

Thoughts?

ETA: Yes, the Patriots can extend Butler this year. The rule is that rookie UDFAs get three-year deals, drafted players get four-year deals, and you can't renegotiate them until after the second-to-last regular season of the contract (three years for drafted rookies, two years for UDFAs).

 

[IllegalContact]

it is not going to happen.......because the pats don't want to pay money before then need to and it's not in butler's best interest to take substantially less money just so he gets some a year earlier......he got $600K this year....he's not starving

 

[BelichickFan]

Yes. It can easily be a win-win for both sides with the Patriots locking him up an extra year or two and in exchange getting him more guaranteed money.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

it is not going to happen.......because the pats don't want to pay money before then need to and it's not in butler's best interest to take substantially less money just so he gets some a year earlier......he got $600K this year....he's not starving

Then why the heck did they extend Ryan Allen?

 

[JPsPats]

I'd offer him the Chris Harris deal. Similar situation where both were UDFA, but played extremely well and proved themselves.

If I'm not mistaken Harris' annual average is around 8 million a season. This contract could look like a steal if Butler signs it because locking up a #1 corner with elite upside for 8 million doesn't happen often.

Guys like revis, Sherman, and Peterson are making like 12-14 million a season so if butler is making 8 we're in great shape cap wise to sign other good players.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

Chris Harris also signed his deal after playing out two cheaper years.

Butler has no negotiating leverage. He can either play out his team options on severely under market rates, of he takes the long term security under value. That would be a similar path that gronk took, which would seem to make the most sense for both sides.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

If anyone has earned the right to the security of getting locked into a contract for the next few years, it's Malcolm Butler. He will, of course, have to be willing to do it "The Patriot Way" and not get as much as he might get as a Free Agent, but the Pats should certainly make him a reasonable offer that is as close to market as they are willing to go.

Butler can then decide whether he wants to take the deal or test the waters in a year...but he deserves the choice.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

If anyone has earned the right to the security of getting locked into a contract for the next few years, it's Malcolm Butler. He will, of course, have to be willing to do it "The Patriot Way" and not get as much as he might get as a Free Agent, but the Pats should certainly make him a reasonable offer that is as close to market as they are willing to go.

Butler can then decide whether he wants to take the deal or test the waters in a year...but he deserves the choice.

He thing is, he can't test in a year. Pats own him for the next 3, so he doesn't have a leg to stand on.

 

[everlong]

Just because he's an RFA after next season that doesn't mean they have him locked up. A team could easily offer him a large poison pill deal and yes they lose a first round pick but to hurt the Pats all the divisional rivals and most of the conference rivals would do it.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

He thing is, he can't test in a year. Pats own him for the next 3, so he doesn't have a leg to stand on.

I believe he's an RFA after next season.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

Being an RFA is not leverage. The control is still in the hands of the team at that point.

 

[VrabelJr]

Just because he's an RFA after next season that doesn't mean they have him locked up. A team could easily offer him a large poison pill deal and yes they lose a first round pick but to hurt the Pats all the divisional rivals and most of the conference rivals would do it.

You would never hurt the Pats by giving us a 1st rounder.

 

[everlong]

You would never hurt the Pats by giving us a 1st rounder.

Long term no, short term very much so. Without Butler you're starting Coleman and Ryan. I like Coleman a lot and maybe he develops into a good outside CB but right now he's pretty raw still and better suited to the slot.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Long term no, short term very much so. Without Butler you're starting Coleman and Ryan. I like Coleman a lot and maybe he develops into a good outside CB but right now he's pretty raw still and better suited to the slot.

Yes, but a reminder that Butler becomes an RFA next year, not this year.

 

[chasa]

i want them to do the same thing they did with gronk.

sign him to a good long contract that keeps him a patriot, gives him a raise, and makes him affordable a few years from now

 

[JarOfMayo51]

Then why the heck did they extend Ryan Allen?

Money to a punter is peanuts compared to a top corner, its real easy to budget for kickers in your salary cap management since the top guys at their position are only paid $4 million at most a year

 

[JarOfMayo51]

I'd offer him the Chris Harris deal. Similar situation where both were UDFA, but played extremely well and proved themselves.

If I'm not mistaken Harris' annual average is around 8 million a season. This contract could look like a steal if Butler signs it because locking up a #1 corner with elite upside for 8 million doesn't happen often.

Guys like revis, Sherman, and Peterson are making like 12-14 million a season so if butler is making 8 we're in great shape cap wise to sign other good players.

The Colts lucked out big time with Vontea Davis' deal. .. those bastards... he's a top 6 CB and they're paying him half what other guys are making

 

[IllegalContact]

Then why the heck did they extend Ryan Allen?

cuz it was that or an RFA tender....the cost would not have been much different either way for 2016

why would the pats pay butler market now and why would butler take less when in a year he can get a deal that makes up for it and then some?

they have him for another year before he's an RFA....they'll more likely deal with him then.....but then again, why pay someone 8-10M when you can get him for 2-3M for 2017......it's the way the business works, and both sides understand that.......butler does not come across as a revis type

 

[Ivan]

People seem to be forgetting that Gronk signed a team friendly deal and If Collins, Jones, Hightower, our Butler wish to do that the opportunity will be there for them. The Patriots will sign players early if the numbers work well for them, they don't do it at market value out of fear of losing them.

 

[aluminum seats]

I'm always a fan of extending guys early who you're confident you want to stick around. And in this crazy league where the next play can easily be your last, smart for the player too.

Butler is one of those guys. Young, talented, hungry and competitive as hell. He's the kind of guy I want on my team. Lock 'em up.