Mike Reiss examines why the Patriots would want to swap CB Malcolm Butler for Saints WR Brandin Cooks. (0:55)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler has taken pride in not allowing his contract status to become a distraction over the past year, deflecting all queries on the topic.

But through his agent, Derek Simpson, Butler wanted to clear the air Thursday night about his current situation.

“The Patriots haven’t approached Malcolm about his contract since last year, and anything that says he keeps asking for the moon is completely false,” Simpson said.

Out of respect to the Patriots, Simpson said he didn't want to publicly disclose information about last year's contract talks. He added that Butler has “a lot of respect” for Patriots free-agent signing Stephon Gilmore, who agreed to a five-year, $65 million deal with the Patriots that includes $40 million in bonuses/guarantees, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Butler, who was tendered at the first-round level ($3.91 million) as a restricted free agent, could potentially form a strong 1-2 starting combination with Gilmore in New England, although he has also been the subject of trade speculation.

Butler himself later weighed in, per ESPN's Josina Anderson: