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Patriots: James Harrison blasts Malcolm Butler Super Bowl rumors

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: James Harrison #92 of the New England Patriots (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

One of the great mysteries in New England Patriots history is what exactly happened to Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl LII. Despite starting every game for New England up until that point, Butler was benched for their tussle with the Philadelphia Eagles, and replacement Eric Rowe was shredded by Nick Foles in the upset win.

Bill Belichick has never given a clear reason as to why Butler was suddenly put on the bench, leading everyone else around that team to connect the dots and figure out exactly why New England would subvert their own strategy to such an insane degree.