Patriots CB Malcolm Butler released a statement thanking the organization for all they’ve done for him over the past four years. Butler also denied rumors of why he was benched for the Super Bowl and says he’s getting ready for his next opportunity.
— Malcolm CB Butler (@Mac_BZ) February 6, 2018
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that reported Monday on “NFL Total Access” that several factors led to the Patriots benching Butler including being late and struggling during practice this week, due to an illness he was dealing with.
Patriots HC Bill Belichick told reporters after Sunday’s loss to the Eagles that the decision to hold Butler out of the game was for “football reasons.”
However, Butler says the team gave up on him and he isn’t sure why.
“They gave up on me. F—. It is what it is,” Butler said, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. “I don’t know what it was. I guess I wasn’t playing good or they didn’t feel comfortable. I don’t know. But I could have changed that game.”
“It was a coach’s decision,” Butler added. “I was just doing my job and supporting my teammates. I have nothing but great things to say about the organization. They gave me an opportunity. That’s about it.”
Butler opened the game on the Patriots’ sidelines while New England went with a trio that consisted of Stephon Gilmore, Eric Rowe and Johnson Bademosi.
Butler is now in position to be an unrestricted free agent in the coming months and could very well be playing for another team at the start of the 2018 season.
Butler, 27, wound up signing on with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of West Alabama back in 2014. He played out the final year of his rookie contract before signing a one-year restricted tender worth $3.91 million for the 2017 season.
In 2017, Butler appeared in 16 games and recorded 60 tackles, two interceptions, a sack, three forced fumbles and 12 pass defenses for the Patriots. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 51 cornerback out of 120 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
