New England Patriots re-sign cornerback Malcolm Butler

Image: Malcolm Butler has put pen to paper on a restricted free agent tender, paving the way for him to be traded

The New England Patriots have re-signed cornerback Malcolm Butler, the hero of their fourth Super Bowl victory, to a restricted free agent tender contract.

The $3.91m agreement makes him eligible to be traded, with a resolution on his future with New England expected be reached by the end of the month.

Butler couldn't be traded until he signed his tender, with interest in him likely to diminish after the NFL draft, which takes place on April 27-29.

Image: Butler has been with the Patriots since 2014

He had visited the New Orleans Saints, but they declined to make an offer that would have required them to compensate New England with a first-round draft pick.

Image: The Patriot's Superbowl LI victory marked the first time in NFL history that a team losing by 17 points or more at the start of the fourth quarter went on to win the game

Butler, now 27, intercepted a pass from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson at the goal line in the final minute of Super Bowl XLIX to secure the victory for the Patriots.

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Also Tuesday, the Patriots signed tight end Matt Lengel and released offensive lineman Tre' Jackson.

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