Seems A Little Odd That Malcolm Butler Signed With The Patriots But Won't Be Attending Their Offseason Workouts, No?

Source: Patriots CB Malcolm Butler has signed his restricted free agent tender. A trade is still on the table.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 18, 2017

As of now, Malcolm Butler has no intention of working out with the Pats in Foxboro, despite signing his tender.

— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 18, 2017

So what these reports are basically saying is that Malcolm Butler chose to sign with New England only to turn down an invite to their workouts? Huh, well that's strange. Why would he contractually obligate himself to play professional football for less than he's worth, but not want to show up and train with the team he just rejoined? It's almost seems like...he's unhappy with the (for lack of a better term) restrictions of his current situation or something. But if that were the case then why would he voluntarily prolong it another season? I'm not exactly an NFL General Manager, but - with his standoffish approach to their offseason and a long term deal due at the end of the year - I can't help but think that it might behoove the Patriots to move him to a team that would be willing to reimburse him properly. 

Man, if only there were a organization that has been in contact with Bill Belichick throughout the last few months and has a desirable asset to offer despite being unwilling to part with their own first round pick by signing him to an offer sheet. It really sucks there's no franchise that is in desperate need of a starting cornerback and able to pay the apparent market value (set by the Brandin Cooks trade) for a high-end player who is due a massive payday sooner rather than later. If there were then I would think that some handshakes would have commenced a meeting discussing an inevitable, mutually beneficial deal long before yesterday. Oh well. Too bad the persistent rumors are just rumors. It's a real shame that the Saints definitely don't have any real need for secondary help, or Malcolm Butler could have stopped in and done some negotiating when he flew South solely to check out Bourbon Street and eat some beignets.