To the shock of everyone in the football world, Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler played just one special teams snap in Sunday’s Super Bowl defeat. Over the last two days, many have speculated that Butler was benched due to some sort of disciplinary issue, but the pending free agent says that’s not the case. 
“During my four-year career with [the] Patriots I have always given everything I have to play at a high level, and would never do anything to hurt my teams’ chances of winning a game, including this year’s Super Bowl where I visited with my family every night,” Butler said (Twitter link). “During Super Bowl week I never attended any concert, missed curfew, or participated [in] any of the ridiculous activities being reported. They are not only false, but hurtful, to me and my family.”
On Instagram, where Butler’s statement was cross-posted, Tom Brady offered words of support that seemed to support his version of events. “Love you, Malcolm. You are an incredible player and teammate and friend. Always!!!,” the future Hall of Famer wrote (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of NFL.com).
Butler is scheduled to reach the open market in March, so it behooves him to quiet any false speculation regarding his benching. However, even if the Super Bowl XLIX hero’s absence from the big game was not related to any disciplinary issues, teams will want to know more about what went into Bill Belichick‘s decision.
Butler did not have a banner platform year, as evidenced by his 79.2 overall rating from Pro Football Focus (51st amongst cornerbacks), down from 88.1 last season and 83.2 in 2015. However, he started in started 54 of the team’s 55 games leading up to the Super Bowl and turned in a decent performance against the Jaguars in the AFC Championship Game.
If not for the Patriots using the restricted free agent tender on Butler last offseason, he may have been in line for a multi-year deal with an annual average value of $15MM. This time around, the Pats aren’t expected to put up much of a fight to keep him. He’ll also make a lot less than $15MM/year on his next contract.
This story is not looking good for belicheck and the organization. Seems even like golden boy Brady is on Butler’s side. This could get interesting.
Exactly Brady spoke out for a reason besides just being nice
There’s a lot more to that statement from butler including his respect and appreciation for the patriots organisation and specifically belichek If he doesn’t make a lot of money this year it’s because he had a bad year.
What a difference just one short year makes.. If I were him, I’d at least consider taking a one-year pillow deal in order to reestablish my market, because, even before this whole Super Bowl fiasco, his stock has plummeted considerably.
It’s always interesting to see how many different (incorrect) variations of ‘Belichick’ are used in comment sections, and right on cue, this one is no different…2 so far (Belichek/Belicheck)…keep ’em comin!
Bellycheck?
Belichick cost me and other Pats fans a lot of money with his benching
Of Butler, no reason given just like that stupid note he left for the Jets
When they thought he had agreed to coach them.
I think B.B. has lost sight of things.
The players should be fucking passed!
One player does not determine the outcome of a game. It’s real easy to say yeah if he played they wouldn’t have given up as many points. If you’re to blame anyone it’s the D-line didn’t get a sack and missed tackles in the run game, and special teams missed kicks. And you cost you a lot of money if you knew anything about odds you wouldn’t have bet on the pats, I’m a pats fan and I didn’t bet at all. If you have to bet a lot of money to get money back it’s not a good bet
I disagree. They are not known to bring a lot of pressure. Yes, the entire defense was horrendous but that secondary except Gilmore was absolute shit. Coverage was bad, tackling was bad. They probably win the game if bademosi makes a routine tackle on 3rd and 6. Nobody can guarantee they win with Butler, but I bet he makes 1 or 2 plays that those other 3 schmucks couldn’t make.
So yes I feel strongly that they win that game if Butler plays. The whole thing blows my mind. I don’t remember their defense ever being so bad they couldn’t force a punt in the second half and here you have your #2 corner on the sideline. Wow
Butler played 98 % of the defensive snaps this year, plus he’s by far the best tackler of the defensive backs.
It’s over now and they lost, but to have to play scrubs in the super bowl while
A pro bowler is nailed to the bench is BS.
Plus, if your a fan of a team, you bet on the team and we only gave away 4 points.
It’s because kraft and belichek are no longer friends! He wanted to trade Brady and kraft said no! Now he’ll do anything to piss him off! Just like trading jimmy g to my niners! Hope he’s the real deal! Pats dynasty falling apart! Hey they had a hell of a run!
Lmao you can’t even spell belichick right, dynasty is falling right? Is that why they have the best odds to win super bowl 53? Get outta here
Pfft anything to grasp at straws: Philly will show up and beat the Patsies again, though don’t count on NE getting there again.
You “hope” he’s the real deal? He didn’t put his ability on full display to you when he got there? I’d gladly take him back if you want…
Your an idiot. Let me know when your team has 5 rings…
The niners have five rings just saying
I think it might be time for the patriots to move to a new head coach.. Lots of stir up wirh belichiek right now
Pats fans are sore losers always looking for an excuse why their better team lost, HA!. Eagles took their lunch and ate it, get over it, you lose. The best team won.