Reports: Lions, Texans interested in Pats CB Butler
New England Patriots free-agent cornerback Malcolm Butler is drawing significant interest from the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans, according to various reports.
Per NBC Sports Boston, the Lions -- who are led by a pair of ex-Patriots in head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn -- are "quite interested" in Butler's services.
The news suggests Patricia, the only defensive coordinator Butler has played for in the NFL, still thinks highly of the former undrafted free agent and Super Bowl XLIX hero despite Butler's benching in Super Bowl LII.
Meanwhile, according to Pro Football Weekly, the Texans are "in on" Butler after quietly expressing interest last offseason when he was a restricted free agent.
ESPN reported last week that the New York Jets also are expected to have interest in Butler.
Some have wondered whether the 28-year-old's down season in 2017, capped by the now infamous Super Bowl benching, would limit his market in free agency, but there still appear to be plenty of suitors. Butler can agree to a deal with a new team once free agency officially opens on Wednesday.
--Field Level Media
