Three years ago today, the Patriots signed several rookies, including fourth-round pick center Bryan Stork and sixth-round guard Jon Halapio. However, New England’s most important move seemingly flew under the radar, as they also signed an undrafted free agent who’d go on to become a Super Bowl hero.
On May 19th, 2014, New England inked undrafted rookie Malcolm Butler to a deal. The West Alabama product was plenty productive during his collegiate career, earning himself a pair of First-Team All-GSC nods. However, the cornerback ended up going undrafted in the 2014 draft, and it took him more than a week to finally latch on with an NFL team. Butler was surprisingly productive during his rookie campaign, compiling 15 tackles and three passes defended for New England. However, his most notable performance was during Super Bowl XLIX, when he picked off a Russell Wilson pass attempt for the championship-winning interception.
Butler parlayed that Super Bowl performance into a starting gig with the Patriots, and he proceeded to earn a 2015 Pro Bowl appearance after finishing with 67 tackles, 15 passes defended, and two interceptions. Following another productive 2016 campaign, Butler and the Patriots seemingly butted heads during the 2017 offseason. The team assigned a first-rounder tender to the restricted free agent (which he ultimately signed), and they proceeded to sign Stephon Gilmore to a lucrative $65MM contract. Butler was demoted to the second spot on the depth chart, and the Patriots’ manipulation of his contract situation led to some ill will.
Butler was productive again in 2017, but he was mysteriously benched during the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss to the Eagles. Butler ended up bolting for Tennessee back in March, signing a five-year, $61MM contract ($30MM guaranteed).
Fortunately for the Patriots, they probably never expected that kind of production from an undrafted rookie. On the flip side, when Butler made the game-winning interception during the Super Bowl, they probably never thought that he’d willingly leave the organization three years later.
After they benched him, it was pretty much certain he was leaving.
Funny part about the whole situation is that no one knows why he was benched for the SB? Even players who have left NE after the season have come out publicly and said they asked and were never given a reason why he was benched. Especially when almost everyone felt his playing would have helped the Pats to possibly win the game. Seems as though a little rebellion is going on in NE as even Tom Brady has questioned the decision and been saying things and staying away from the team this off season. Wonder if this is he year the Pats don’t finish atop the AFC East and surprise surprise, Josh (I changed my mind)McDaniels becomes HC of the NEP?
Four years*
I was thinking the same thing. Says 3 years ago he signed but then it says he was signed in 2014. Hello!!! What year are we in now?
As for the Pats not winning the AFC East and McDaniels taking over as HC next year —- Forrggeetttaaabbouuutt it. Not happening. They Win AFC East and Belichick has at least 2 maybe 3 years left including this year.