Malcolm Butler reported to the New England Patriots this week after skipping the first week of optional practices last month.

Butler, the hero of Super Bowl XLIX, is scheduled to make just $600,000 this season.

The cornerback told reporters his absence during the first round of organized team activities was a "big misunderstanding" before clarifying he had dealt with a "family issue, or something like that."

Butler was later asked if he'd been bothered by the speculation he might hold out for a new deal.

"Of course that's going to bother you," he told the Boston Herald. "Everyone knows why I wasn't here."