Adam Butler will be staying with the New England Patriots.
The 26-year-old defensive tackle signed his restricted free agent tender, per ESPN's Mike Reiss. The tender is worth $3.26 million.
Butler has spent three seasons with the Patriots after they signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
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He enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2019 for a Patriots defense that ranked among the league's best in many statistical categories. Butler tallied 17 total tackles, five passes defensed and a career-high six sacks last season. He has not missed a single game in his pro career
Butler coming back is great news for the Patriots after their defense lost several key players in free agency. Linebackers Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts, as well as defensive tackle Danny Shelton and safety Nate Ebner all departed. Veteran safety Duron Harmon also was traded in a move that opened up much-needed salary cap space for New England.
The Patriots would be wise to strengthen the depth and talent on their defensive line through the 2020 NFL Draft, and they have 12 picks at their disposal to make that happen.
