The strange offseason of Malcolm Butler has taken another turn.

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said on Wednesday morning at the NFL owners' meetings that his club will not be signing the New England Patriots cornerback to an offer sheet. The 27-year-old Butler is a restricted free agent.

Though the Saints will not opt for the offer sheet  route, Payton didn't say that his club's interest in the two-time Super Bowl champion had ceased. Payton described the Saints' interest in Butler as "ongoing" and said that any pursuit of the player could take time.

Payton was essentially echoing comments made earlier on Wednesday by Saints general manager Mickey Loomis.

"There's not a lot I can say," Loomis told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "We're kicking the tires, I guess. That's the way to describe that. We'll see how that process works."

Undrafted out of West Alabama, Butler appeared in all 16 games for the Pats this season, his third NFL campaign. He registered 63 combined tackles, 17 passes deflected and four interceptions last season.

If the Pats and Saints were to come together on a deal for Butler, it would be the second significant trade of the offseason between to the two teams. Earlier this month, the Saints sent their leading receiver, Brandin Cooks, along with a fourth-round draft choice to New England for a first-round and third-round pick.