Malcolm Butler Intends To Sign With Titans

Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler will sign with the Tennessee Titans, Sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Butler will reportedly sign a five-year, $61 million deal with $30 million in guaranteed money.

The 28-year-old Butler seemed unlikely to re-sign with the Patriots as a free agent after he surprisingly didn't play a single defensive snap in the Patriots 41-33 loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LII. The decision to sit Butler was described by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick as a coaching decision.

Butler's future with the Patriots was also unclear following the 2016 season, when Butler was a restricted free agent. The New Orleans Saints hosted Butler on a visit but never signed him to an offer sheet.

A week prior to Butler's visit with the Saints, the Patriots elected to sign former Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore to a five-year, $65 million contract, seemingly making it unlikely that Butler would play for New England beyond the 2017 season.

Butler will play in Tennessee for former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel, who was hired as the team's next head coach in January.

Butler will also play alongside former Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan, who is coming off his first season with the Titans after signing a three-year, $30 million contract with the team following the 2016 season.