An explosive new book on the New England Patriots dynasty will address one of the biggest questions in franchise history:
Why was Malcolm Butler benched in Super Bowl LII?
ESPN reporter Seth Wickersham writes in “It’s Better to Be Feared” that Butler’s demotion came after a heated altercation with then-defensive coordinator Matt Patricia during practice.
From ESPN’s preview story on the book, which releases Oct. 12:
In the lead-up to Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles, Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia traded heated words at practice over the former Super Bowl hero’s lack of effort.