Titans' Butler compares Vrabel to Belichick: 'They're about winning'

Questions remain about New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick's benching of Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles, but it's clear the star cornerback still respects his former coach.

The "coach's decision" preceded Butler's free-agency departure to the Tennessee Titans on a five-year, $61.25-million deal this offseason. According to Butler, though, in joining the Titans and head coach Mike Vrabel, he's not straying too far from the team and coach that signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2014.

"It's the Patriots system, one of the greatest systems in the NFL," Butler said of the Titans, according to Robert Klemko of the MMQB. "You can tell Mike played for Belichick because you can see some of the similarities. They're about winning the way New England is about winning."

Vrabel played linebacker for the Patriots under Belichick from 2001-2008. He won three Super Bowls and was named an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in his second-last season with the team.

Given the success he saw in New England, it's no surprise Vrabel's taken on some of his former coach's traits.

"One thing I saw early: Mike will put you on blast. He don't care who's around. He's going to say what's right. He might be a bit looser than Bill Belichick, but they're both great guys," Butler said.

"A man caught a ball on me - honestly I don't know his name yet - but Mike let me hear about it. 'Don't get stuck on top of the routes like that! Make a play!' Nobody cares where you come from or what you make. Everyone's equal. And you can tell from the head coach all the way down to the interns, everybody wants to win."

Vrabel and Butler will host Belichick and the Patriots in Week 10.