After a disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 52, the New England Patriots have some work to do in the off-season. 

As well as working on the field, there will be changes off it in New England. That's because Malcolm Butler is expected to leave. 

The cornerback was surprisingly benched for the Super Bowl and even almost a month later, no one is sure why. 

Butler was one of the best in the league last season, playing almost every snap - and it's now been revealed he was still training every day ahead of the big game. 

So Bill Belichick's decision to bench him was a strange one and it even forced Butler to release a statement confirming there were no off-field conflicts prior to the Super Bowl. 

As he's about to become a free agent in March, it looks as if the 27-year-old has played his last game for New England. 

That means the Patriots will be looking for a replacement who's just as impressive at cornerback as Butler has been. 

Luckily for them, reports are suggesting that one of the league's best defenders has his eye on a move to New England. 

According to the Boston Herald, Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks is more than a little interested in swapping the west coast for the east. 

The report suggests that there is an understanding in league circles that Sherman could become available at some point before 2018. 

He's not yet been informed by the Seahawks if he's going to be part of their plans for next season, but there is added the complication of his injury recovery.

Sherman is currently coming back from a ruptured Achilles and it's suggested that the Seahawks may wait for him to pass a physical before deciding on his future. 

However, that may not happen until May - and the Patriots can't make him their number one target, just in case the Seahawks decide he's not going to be traded. 

But the Pats will be confident of a deal. They did register brief interest in Sherman last season and according to the Herald, he's still interested in a trade if the Seahawks go in a different direction. 

That, added to the fact that Sherman's relationship has publicly deteriorated with the Seahawks organization over the last few years - means a deal could be on. 

And if there's ever a quality replacement for Bulter, it would be former Super Bowl champion and four-time Pro Bowler Sherman.