We now are closer than ever before to understanding why Malcolm Butler was benched in Super Bowl LII. But we still have several questions.
Butler’s infamous benching is explored in Episode 9 of “The Dynasty,” Apple TV’s docuseries about the New England Patriots. And, as promised, the episode contains revelations about why Bill Belichick benched Butler against the Philadelphia Eagles.
(Note: The rest of this article contains spoilers for Episode 9, which premieres March 15 and focuses on multiple controversies from New England’s 2017 campaign.)
Why Was Malcolm Butler Benched in Super Bowl LII?
Well, we still don’t know. But thanks to Patriots owner Robert Kraft, we can rule out certain possibilities, such as Butler’s benching being purely about his declining on-field performance in 2017 or a sickness he dealt with before the Super Bowl.
“What has been told to me is that there was something personal going on between Bill and Malcolm that was not football-related,” Kraft said in Episode 9.
Kraft added: “I always felt that every decision Bill had made had been to put what was in the best interest of the team first and put emotion aside. But, with Malcolm, he did just the opposite.”
Obviously, “something personal” could be any number of things. It could be minor, or it could be a big deal.
Nevertheless, Kraft’s apparent issues with Belichick’s reasoning indicate he doesn’t believe the punishment fit the crime.
Other Notable Quotes About Butler’s Benching
Players Insist They Don’t Have Any Answers
Multiple Patriots players and coaches, including Devin McCourty, previously have said they truly didn’t know why Butler was benched against the Eagles. And that trend continued in Episode 9.
McCourty: “I talked to coaches, other players, like, none of us ever heard what happened or why it happened.”
Butler: “People still ask me that to this day: ‘Why you ain’t play in the Super Bowl?’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know, man. Coach’s decision.’ But the thing about it, I really don’t know. I really don’t.”
Josh McDaniels: “I don’t have one bit of information about that to this day.”
Players Disagreed With Belichick’s Decision
This is as open as Patriots players have been when asked about Butler, who said he “didn’t find out until the game” that he would be benched.
McCourty: “If you would’ve told me going into the game, ‘Malcolm Butler’s not going in, do you think that helps you win?’ I would say no.”
Matthew Slater: “As players, I know we all felt strongly that Malcolm should’ve been out there. But that’s not our call. And, at the end of the day, we trust our coach.
” … Seeing how the game was transpiring, it’s like, ‘Well, man, we kind of need him in there right now. Can we get him in there to stop the bleeding?'”
Danny Amendola Still Mad About Malcolm Butler Benching
The former Patriots receiver didn’t hold back when asked about Butler. And that’s not surprising, given Danny Amendola’s comments about Belichick and the Patriots in recent years.
“I remember walking off the field that night just really confused,” Amendola said. “That was the biggest game of our lives at the moment, and Malcolm’s not on the field. That s–t kind of pisses me off still today.
“I mean, we played our a–es off. Tom [Brady] threw for 500-plus yards … we’re out there literally putting our bodies on the line, our heads on the line, for our friends, our families, our teammates. And to not get an explanation, like, I felt like we got cheated a little bit, honestly. And I don’t feel bad saying that.”
Belichick Stonewalls Questions
This is one of the more awkward moments from the entire season of The Dynasty.
Series director Matt Hamachek: “In the 2017 season, Malcolm Butler had played 98% of the snaps. Why was he only on the field for one play during the Super Bowl?”
Belichick: “Yeah, Matt, we’ve talked about that.”
Hamachek: “I didn’t ask you about it.”
Belichick then silently stares into the camera for 10 seconds before the show cuts to Kraft revealing the new details.
The exchange between Hamachek and Belichick suggests the two spoke off-camera about Butler, with Belichick communicating he didn’t want to discuss it. Belichick’s reaction makes it clear he wasn’t thrilled to be asked about Butler’s benching, a subject he’s long refused to talk about.
It also was an on-brand moment for Belichick in this series, as the former Patriots head coach was disengaged and clearly annoyed throughout.
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