The Tennessee Titans continue to build like the New England Patriots by signing former Pats CB Malcolm Butler to a five-year deal.
After a few hours of Tennessee Titans fans beginning to lose their collective minds and doubting the front office, GM Jon Robinson made his first move of the offseason. Former New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler intends to sign with the Titans when free agency officially begins tomorrow. Butler has forced four fumbles, picked off seven passes and defensed 44 of them over the last three seasons, while playing in all 48 games.
Former Patriots' CB Malcolm Butler intends to sign with the Tennessee Titans, per sources. Butler will play for former Patriots' LB Mike Vrabel and former Pats' personnel man Jon Robinson.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2018
Butler will join Logan Ryan and Adoree’ Jackson as the top cornerbacks on the Titans roster, signaling three big investments made by Robinson at the all-important position over the past two offseasons. Butler is reunited with Ryan, his former Patriots secondary running mate.
In order to secure Butler, the Titans had to splash some money. They committed $61 million ($30M guaranteed) over five years, a rather large investment considering Butler’s benching at the Super Bowl and his up-and-down performance in 2017. Now 28, Butler will be 33 by the time his contract is up. Despite the lofty numbers, the market is growing by the day, so contracts are constantly being inflated. Add in that the Titans have plenty of money to spend, and the overall number isn’t too daunting.
Butler rose to fame when he made the game-sealing goal line interception in the Patriots’ Super Bowl 49 win. The Titans will be hoping that Butler can return to his 2015 and 2016 form in Nashville. Considering Butler and Ryan were teamed up for those two seasons, it’s fair to assume the former can return to being the dominant cover corner he proved to be during that time. Butler’s arrival will push Ryan into a pure slot cornerback role, which has become as important as a left tackle in today’s NFL. DC Dean Pees will surely be ecstatic to be able to work with a talented trio of cornerbacks.