After more than six years with the Buffalo Bills, John Butler decided that it was time to move on. Earlier this month, the 50-year-old came to a mutual agreement with the team to relieve him of his services as the squad’s defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator.
As they always say, all good things must come to an end.
John Butler Speaks Out on Buffalo Bills Exit
Three weeks ago, Bills head coach Sean McDermott promoted Bobby Babich as the team’s new defensive coordinator, which is a position Butler was also gunning for. Butler has nothing against Babich at all. However, the latter knew that it was time for him to move on after the team snubbed him for the DC post:
“Bobby’s going to do a great job,” Butler said, via Tim Graham of The Athletic. “It really just came down to us both feeling we were qualified to do the job. We both still are. The decision doesn’t change anything.
“But once that decision is made, it’s time for me to see if I can be a coordinator somewhere else. I’m at my best when I’m in charge. I ran the secondary for six years, but there’s a ceiling there.”
Butler also has no resentment toward McDermott’s decision to bypass him. He also holds no ill will against the organization. According to Butler, who has yet to land his next gig, it was just a matter of him having a different vision:
“People are probably wondering why a guy who’s had so much production and so many great things to say about the organization is leaving,” Butler said. “There doesn’t have to be a crazy story behind it. I just want to run a defense in the NFL or college football. I want that opportunity, and I don’t want to wait.”
For his part, McDermott has nothing but well wishes for his now-former DB coach. He probably would have preferred if Butler stayed, but McDermott also knows that the former will need to shoot his shot elsewhere:
“I want the best for John,” McDermott said. “He’s been a big part of our success. He’s a great coach.
“But I also understand John has goals for himself.”
For More Of My Content
Follow me on Twitter at @PaoloSongcoNBA. You may also reach out to me personally at pao.songco@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and NFL news, click here!