Malcolm Butler was a starting cornerback for the Patriots all season.
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But when New England's defense took the field Sunday in Super Bowl 52, the fourth-year cornerback was on the bench. Outside of a few special-teams plays, that's where he remained as converted safety Eric Rowe lined up at cornerback against the Eagles.
"We put the best players out there and the game plan out there that we thought would be the best tonight, like we always do," Patriots coach Bill Belichick told reporters after Sunday's 41-33 loss.
Belichick said the decision to bench Butler was not disciplinary and one he stood by when asked again Monday.
"I appreciate the question, but it would be a much longer discussion," Belichick said Monday during a conference call with reporters. "There are a lot of things that go into that. In the end, the final decision is what I said it was."
Butler had played 98 percent of the defensive snaps this season and was upset after Sunday's game. He told reporters Belichick "gave up" on him.
Without Butler on the field Sunday, the Patriots defense allowed Eagles quarterback Nick Foles to throw for 373 yards and three touchdowns. They did get one interception, though it was a fortunate pick after the ball popped in the air off the hands of Eagles receiver Alshon Jeffery. Rowe, who played in just 11 out a possible 19 games with only four starts, spent most of the game lined up against Nelson Agholor, who had nine receptions for 84 yards.
"I respect Malcolm’s competitiveness and I’m sure he felt he could’ve helped," Belichick said Monday. "I’m sure other players felt the same way. In the end, we have to make the decisions that we feel are best for the football team."
The decision not to start Butler is curious, but the bigger question is why wasn't he inserted at some point as the Eagles were moving the ball at will against the Patriots defense.
"We could have used anybody," Rowe admitted after the game.
Former Patriots cornerback Brandon Browner was among those critical of Belichick's choice to keep Butler, a 2015 Pro Bowl player and hero of Super Bowl 49, on the sideline.