Patriots might have violated CBA by reportedly punishing Malcolm Butler

The NFLPA is looking into whether or not the New England Patriots violated the CBA by reportedly punishing Malcolm Butler for being late to the first day of the team’s OTA practice last month.

Butler reportedly practiced Wednesday for the first time since being late to the team’s first OTA practice on May 26. Since OTAs are a voluntary part of the offseason workouts program, a coach is not supposed to discipline a player for being late to a practice. That is why the NFLPA is taking a look at the matter, according to NFL Media’s Albert Breer.

Breer says the NFLPA is looking into whether the rule in Article 21 Section 5(a) was violated. That rule states:

“No Club official may indicate to a player that the Club’s offseason workout program or classroom instruction is not voluntary (or that a player’s failure to participate in a workout program or classroom instruction will result in the player’s failure to make the Club or result in any other adverse consequences affecting his working
conditions). Contact work (e.g., “live” blocking, tackling, pass rushing, bump-and-run) is expressly prohibited in all offseason workouts. All Clubs, coaches and other Club officials shall follow all of the rules regarding offseason workouts set forth in AppendixG hereto.”

It might be difficult for the Patriots to be punished in this situation. The NFLPA would have to poke around the matter and talk to players about the circumstances surrounding OTAs. What player would rat on the team? My guess is Butler wouldn’t tell them much if he were interviewed.