Yeah, the Cooks rumor seems a little out of the norm. I think they should stand pat with Butler for the year, and hope he plays like Deion.
Re: spending- I think the Patriots are again taking care of the future by playing hardball with their players. I don't think the Pats go near Von Miller's contract w/ Hightower, and Butler might find his best deal on the open market. I would want to be unrestricted if I were him, so I would stick around in NE for a year at that tender then make crazy money. By that time, the Pats will have drafted a couple CBs. I love Malcolm Butler and hope he stays but understand if he wants to get paid near the top of the market. Nothing new with the Patriots- they will be ruthless if need be. I can't complain with the results.