While his New England Patriots were getting beaten by Nick Foles and Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII, cornerback Malcolm Butler was unable to help his team. Although it was expected that he will be an important part of the Patriots defense in the game, Butler ended up sitting out the entire game on the bench. The 28-year-old ended up leaving the Patriots in the free agency and joined the Tennessee Titans.
Now, two months later, Butler spoke with Sports Illustrated and decided to share how he felt about not taking a single defensive snap in the most important football game of the year.
“I just wanted to go up to [Bill] Belichick or [defensive coordinator] Matt Patricia and say, ‘This is how we’re going to end this?‘” – Butler shared. “I grew up in the Patriots system. I’m a well-mannered guy. I respect my authority. I just couldn’t ask them for something they didn’t want to do. I was close to going up there and saying what I wanted to say to Matt or Belichick, but I just stayed in my lane and did my job. I really wanted to go ask them, but I didn’t.“
After the Super Bowl LII, Butler told reporters that the Patriots would have won the game if he was playing. He still thinks that way.
“Would we have won if I played? Probably, maybe, I’m not sure.” – he said. “I would say we were short about one or two plays. I’ve seen a couple plays out there I could have made. It was just a coaching decision; it didn’t work out good for me, him or the New England Patriots organization.“
Malcolm Butler joined the Patriots in 2014 and won two Super Bowls with the franchise. After his contract expired, he signed a five-year, $61 million deal with the Titans.
