As expected with the draft nearing, it seems as though they're clearing the decks of all the other business. A Butler decision would leave just the JG situation among the major decisions.
Samuel's bank account certainly didn't mind.
I don't know the dates specifically, but I'm assuming he was considered a player under contract right up to the day free agency opened and the Pats tendered him at R1. If that was the case, then I'd think the Pats and Saints had pretty extensive discussions that were going to trigger a deal once the Gilmore signing was complete. Problem was, Butler didn't sign in time and things stalled, so Cooks gets done without Butler. Only thing they technically couldn't discuss after the FA period started was the 32. If it went in the deal for Cooks and might come back in the deal for Butler, that is something that had to be off limits when they finalized the Cooks trade. So if this gets done quick (to the Saints), you have to figure it was pretty much done the day before FA opened.
I detailed it elsewhere, but Butler is going to make very similar total money in his first 5 years as Hightower did. Maybe even more. DH earned $15M+. Butler will have earned around $6M through four years which means he could make $16-20M through five depending on the contract he signs next year. It's not unfair at all. In fact it is more favorable to Butler since he hits UFA a year earlier.
I was thinking there were more issues in play. But that's not exactly apples to apples, since 5th year for Butler is FA versus rookie deal. 4v4 or comparing him to Gronk may be a better comparison.
Spotrac says $3,769,252, including signing and workout bonuses, so not even quite that.
Thanks. So 3rd round CB from a year earlier made less than Butler is even making this year alone. Again the point is that nothing about Butler's situation is unfair. He'll have outearned all his drafted peers at similar points in time.
Yes. "Pats have all the leverage" in a contractual sense -- unless someone tenders a first for him. But he could well shoot his way out of town for less with the implicit threat of being a pain in the ass. And if that happens -- I will not be complaining.
He's making more than Carr in Oakland in his first 4 years. I love Butler but this whole he's getting screwed thing is a joke.
There are, but they're what you'd expect, if Butler had sucked or gotten hurt he'd have earned nothing. Just not for hitting the open market as a strong performer
No. And if there was a handshake agreement with the Saints to be made, it's presumably done, otherwise no reason to sign the tender yet.
If you are Butler, and trying to maximize your earnings, what do you do? Shoot your way out of town via trade to a team that will sign you long term right now, or play out the string with the Pats and hit UFA next year.
The team would have to seek permission from the Patriots to discuss a long term extension with Butler. The Pats are under no obligation to provide that permission, as Butler is officially under contract to New England.
I've read that a few places, but I don't understand it. What would Butler gain by NOT singing the tender this week?
You're right, IMO, and he was never realistically holding out. And the Patriots have been meticulously careful in this area, so I do not believe in any handshake deals.
If the goal is to get out of town, then, yes, he is. If the goal is to maximize earnings, maybe not - his best bet then it to hit UFA status in 2018.
But they have the theoretical threat of the franchise tag, which this year was $15.7 million for corners.
Also possible he just doesnt want to be here anymore (he busted his ass for three years then, in his view, the team wouldnt pay him what he was worth but gave Gilmore a zillion dollars. Pretty human for that to leave a bad taste in his mouth) and views the trade off of making a little less total money worth the benefits of being somewhere else and getting paid more starting immediately. Or possible he just wants to make a statement about this being a business and then will move on and play out the year. Who knows?
I'll disagree with that. What drives his market value up is teams demanding his services. By skipping offseason workouts, he's risking being thought of as petulant and whiny about his contract situation, and not worth a bother by a GM who might be considering adding some marginal money to a deal (e.g., thinking "he'll just hold out of training camp 2-3 years in, anyway"). Expressing his desire to get a long-term deal from a team, in private, while also busting his ass and being a good soldier in public, would be the way to maximize earnings.
