Malcolm Butler’s interception at the goal line in the final minute of Super Bowl XLIX made him a hero for the New England Patriots. Now, he’s getting a hero’s welcome back into the organization as the cornerback returns on a two-year deal worth up to $9 million, per ESPN.
Butler left the Patriots in 2018 to sign a five-year, $61 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. He was released in 2021 before signing a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals last year. However, Butler decided to retire due to personal reasons in August and the Cardinals formally released him last month. Almost immediately, reports that the 32-year-old might return to the franchise where he made his biggest impact cropped up. And now it’s official.
His return to New England might finally help everyone learn why Butler was benched in the team’s 41-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII. Head coach Bill Belichick never gave a detailed explanation for why Butler only appeared on special teams in that game.
In his seven active seasons in the NFL, Butler has garnered 406 total tackles, 17 interceptions, and two pick-six touchdowns.
News that the Patriots’ Super Bowl hero was heading back to the team elicited some big reactions from around the NFL world.
Pretty good photoshop of Malcolm Butler in a Patriots uniform https://t.co/qLPrW59CyW
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 23, 2022
Was told that Malcolm Butler is genuinely thrilled to return to Foxborough. And the fact that he has a 2-year contract should allow him to minimize distractions.
What a story, to see Butler come full circle with the Patriots.
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 23, 2022
Malcolm Butler is back with the #Patriots after sitting out the season in 2021. Incredible. https://t.co/gavT8TKYgm
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 23, 2022
Pretty incredible. Four years after his Super Bowl benching, Malcolm Butler is back. https://t.co/CANYU7OPcQ
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) March 23, 2022
Malcolm Butler returning to the Patriots 5 years after the infamous SB 52 benching is not something I ever even thought was remotely possibly
— Brett (@TheBg_12) March 23, 2022
Definitely not retired. https://t.co/yvp1v281fR
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) March 23, 2022
We live in a simulation https://t.co/eTKKPqlJsh
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) March 23, 2022
From #SuperBowl hero…to benched in the Super Bowl…to returning home to the #Patriots after landing a huge payday elsewhere.
The Malcolm Butler experience is fascinating. https://t.co/EfKvF4B6yd
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) March 23, 2022
[ESPN]
