Brandon Browner was as confused as the rest of us, and a lot more angry.
The former Patriots cornerback — and apparent New York Post reader — teed off on social media over Bill Belichick’s stunning decision to bench cornerback Malcolm Butler in their 41-33 Super LII loss to the Eagles.
“A locker room was divided pre game, most yds ever given in up in a SB game, and your best defender over the past 3 seasons. Doesn’t get a snap. You where hurt/burnt where he was needed tonight.. #foolishpride,” Browner wrote on Instagram.
Browner was teammates in 2014 with Butler, who sealed the Super Bowl win over the Seahawks with an interception. He would have no chance for such heroics Sunday night. The Patriots coach claimed it was for football, not disciplinary reasons, that Butler did not play on defense (he did appear on the special teams). If true, it was a historically awful decision, as Butler’s replacement, Eric Rowe, was overmatched against the Eagles receivers.
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Butler, who was nearly traded to the Saints this past offseason, now will hit free agency, and it’s extremely likely he has played his last snap with the Patriots. The 27-year-old bolted the locker room before speaking to a group of reporters, but did tell ESPN that “They gave up on me. F–k. It is what it is.”