The benching of Malcolm Butler by Bill Belichick during Super Bowl LII has remained a perplexing mystery in NFL circles. Despite the passage of six years, the recent Patriots’ docuseries sheds some light on the incident.
Prior to Super Bowl LII in 2018, Butler had been a key player for the Patriots, starting in numerous games and earning accolades. However, to the surprise of many, he didn’t play a single defensive snap in the championship game against the Eagles, leading to confusion among teammates and media alike.
The rationale behind Butler’s benching has long been a closely guarded secret, with Belichick offering no explanation after the team’s loss. However, insights provided in Apple’s documentary series “The Dynasty” suggest that there was personal tension between Belichick and Butler. Patriots owner Robert Kraft hinted at this conflict, suggesting that the decision may have been driven by personal issues rather than football considerations.
While Belichick declined to elaborate on his decision, Kraft’s remarks imply that emotions may have clouded judgment, contradicting the usual practice of prioritizing the team’s best interests.
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