Malcolm Butler responds to not playing in Super Bowl

Malcolm Butler basically went from Super Bowl hero to only getting burn on special teams just a few seasons later.

As postgame interviews went on, we got bits and pieces of Butler’s response:

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Butler had more to say to Adam Schefter:

He added, “I could’ve changed that game.”

Later, Butler gave more toned-down comments:

“I made the decisions that give us the best chance to win,” head coach Bill Belichick said, according to Michele Tafoya on NBC’s broadcast. Eric Rowe was playing in place of Butler, who had his good moments during the game but also got beat by Alshon Jeffery for the first touchdown of the game.

Butler is one of the best-known Patriots next to Brady, after his game-sealing interception at the goal line against the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX.

He was almost traded this offseason, but he ended up staying with the Patriots. He played in 16 games, starting in 15 of them. He had two interceptions, 12 pass deflections, and three forced fumbles.

There’s no telling what Butler’s future with the team will be, but between this past offseason and benching him during the Super Bowl, it doesn’t seem like he might be around much longer.