Why isn’t Malcolm Butler playing in Super Bowl 52?

The New England Patriots are getting roasted by Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles, and much of the reason is Malcolm Butler not being on the field.

All year, the strength of the New England defense has been the cornerback duo of Stephon Gilmore and Malcolm Butler. After flirting with the idea of trading Butler to the New Orleans Saints last spring, head coach/general manager Bill Belichick decided to hold onto the corner and it has paid off in another Super Bowl appearance.

Unfortunately for Butler, Belichick and the Patriots, the former Pro Bowler  has been nowhere on the field. After being sick throughout Super Bowl week with flu-like symptoms, Butler has been replaced by Eric Rowe on the outside. Things have not gone well, with Rowe getting beat on a 34-yard touchdown from Nick Foles to Alshon Jeffery.

The problem is a question of both size and talent. Jeffery measures at 6-foot-3 and 216 pounds, while Rowe is two inches shorter and used to playing in the slot. Butler is even smaller at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, making the mismatch one for the Eagles to exploit.

Butler was not in the game at all throughout the first quarter, which begs the question if he can play at all. He was active before the game, and so if things get really bad for Rowe, perhaps Butler would try to make a go of it.

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Butler is missing a great chance to put his talents on display, with free agency coming up in just over a month. He should be one of the top corners available alongside Trumaine Johnson.