The New England Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX hero has been conspicuously absent from organized team activities, and we can rule out two possible explanations for his lack of attendance.
Butler isn’t hurt, Masslive.com’s Kevin Duffy was told Wednesday.
Butler also isn’t holding out for a new contract. The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement states an undrafted rookie free agent can’t redo his deal until after his second season, as Patscap.com’s Miguel Benzan points out. Butler signed as an undrafted free agent last offseason and will make $510,000 this season. He made $420,000 in 2014 and he’s set to earn $600,000 in 2016.
Butler could be a starting cornerback for the Patriots, if he ever shows up, and he would be a huge bargain if that’s the case. Butler’s Super Bowl-ending interception already was worth well over the $910,000 he’ll make in his first two NFL seasons.
Butler’s absence has given more opportunities to cornerbacks like Logan Ryan, Bradley Fletcher, Robert McClain, Darryl Roberts and Daxton Swanson. The Patriots signed veteran Derek Cox after releasing linebacker Brandon Spikes on Monday.
It seems odd for Butler to be skipping the voluntary OTA sessions as he fights for a starting spot on the depth chart. Butler had an extremely short offseason, however, as he went on a whirlwind media tour after the Super Bowl.
Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images
