It’s been six years since Malcolm Butler was benched in Super Bowl LII, and Bill Belichick’s decision remains a total mystery. But potential answers are on the horizon.
Matt Hamachek, director of Apple TV’s “The Dynasty” docuseries about the New England Patriots, teased a reveal about Butler’s benching during an exclusive interview with Pro Football Network’s Mike Gambardella.
‘The Dynasty” Director Hints at Reveal About Malcolm Butler Benching
The Patriots’ drama-filled 2017 season, which culminated in a Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, is the focus of the show’s ninth episode, which premieres March 15. And the episode offers clues about why Belichick benched Butler, who was New England’s top cornerback.
“Without giving too many spoilers away, I think that somebody says something in that episode that gives a major hint as to what was going on,” Hamachek recently told PFN. “And I think that people will come away with a much better understanding of what happened.”
Hamachek isn’t bluffing. We’ve seen the episode and can confirm a prominent Patriots figure says something revelatory about Butler’s benching. At the very least, it narrows the field of potential explanations.
However, the comment arguably creates more questions than it provides answers.
Butler’s Super Bowl Benching Remains a Mystery
Belichick long has swatted away questions about Butler’s benching, a trend that continues in “The Dynasty.” And, to this day, Butler insists he doesn’t know he saw just one snap in Super Bowl LII.
Even longtime Patriots safety Devin McCourty, who played with Butler, claims ignorance.
“I’m anxious (to know),” McCourty said last month from Radio Row at Super Bowl LVIII. ” … I have no idea. I tell people all the time, ‘Why hasn’t Malcolm said that?’ … Supposedly, he has a book coming out.”
McCourty also told a story about when Butler briefly returned to the Patriots in 2022.
“He called me when he came back, and he was like, ‘Hey Belichick just called me, I might come back,'” McCourty revealed. “And I was like, ‘Really? … You would really come back here?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, but, like, what’s going on? What happened (in the Super Bowl)?’ And he didn’t say anything.”
McCourty added: “I’ve never heard anyone talk about why he didn’t play. I don’t know. … “If I knew, I wouldn’t tell, anyway — but I don’t know.”
McCourty sings a similar tune during Episode 9 of “The Dynasty,” referring to Butler’s benching as, “One of the greatest New England mysteries of all time.”
KEEP READING: Peyton Manning Pursuing Patriots Legend for Nick Saban Team-Up
No, that mystery doesn’t get completely solved in “The Dynasty” — but it brings us closer than ever before.
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!