New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler met Thursday with the New Orleans Saints and left without signing a new deal, according to the Boston Globe.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported on Twitter that a “source close to (Butler) said it went well. No deal yet. The sides remain motivated to get it done.”

The Saints provided only an update on their official Twitter account: “When we know you will know You may even know before we know…,” the Saints tweeted at 4:23 p.m. Thursday.

According to The Advocate of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Butler met with the Saints’ front office and coaching staff, and had lunch at the cafeteria at the team’s facility with his agents. The Advocate also reported it could be “a long process” for the sides to reach a deal.

Butler, a restricted free agent, is able to meet with teams and solicit offers. If the Saints sign Butler, 27, to an offer sheet, the Patriots have the right to match it. If they decline, they will receive New Orleans’s first-round pick, the 11th overall selection.

Butler’s name also has come up in trade reports between the teams.

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The Saints already own the Patriots’ first-round pick (No. 32 overall) after shipping receiver Brandin Cooks to New England last week.

RAIDERS: Los Angeles signed tight end Jared Cook, giving quarterback Derek Carr a target at 6-foot-5, 254 pounds.

Cook caught 30 passes for 377 yards and a touchdown in 10 games with five starts for the Packers as he dealt with a high ankle sprain.

The deal was first reported by NFL Media, citing a two-year, $12.2 million contract. The Raiders later confirmed the signing.

Falcons: Atlanta bolstered its defensive line by agreeing to terms with two-time Pro Bowler Dontari Poe.

The 6-foot-3, 346-pound tackle played for Kansas City since being a first-round pick. He started 76 games and recorded 13 sacks over five seasons.

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VIKINGS: Adrian Peterson has taken his final handoff for Minnesota, a 10-year run featuring a league MVP, plenty of off-the-field drama and 11,747 yards rushing over 123 regular-season games.

The Vikings declined their $18 million option on his contract for 2017 two weeks ago to make Peterson a free agent, then signed former Oakland running back Latavius Murray early Thursday. General Manager Rick Spielman then clarified the obvious that the four-time All-Pro will play elsewhere in 2017.

“He will always be a Viking,” Spielman said.

RAVENS: Baltimore and free- agent cornerback Brandon Carr reached an agreement on a four-year contract.

The Ravens made finding a cornerback a priority this offseason, and Carr, a nine-year veteran, fills the void.

COWBOYS: Dallas re-signed running back Darren McFadden and guard Jonathan Cooper.

LEAGUE: A person with knowledge of the hiring told The Associated Press that a second female official, Terri Valenti, will be hired to work as a replay booth assistant next season.

Valenti will join Sarah Thomas, who has been a line judge since 2015.


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