Bill Belichick Has 'A Lot of Respect' for Malcolm Butler, Won't Discuss Benching

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick declined to reveal why he sat cornerback Malcolm Butler during the team's Super Bowl LII loss to the Philadelphia Eagles when asked about it Sunday.

According to ESPN.com's Mike Reiss, Belichick said the following about the now-Tennessee Titans defensive back at the annual league meeting in Orlando, Florida:

"I have a lot of respect for Malcolm. From the day he got here, in rookie minicamp four years ago, he's always competed as hard as he could. He always is a great competitor on the field. I totally respect that.

"I'm not going to get into last year, I'm not going to get into next year or some other year. I talked to Malcolm. I wish him well in Tennessee. Obviously, [head coach] Mike [Vrabel] and [general manager] Jon [Robinson] are great people I have a lot of respect for in that organization. I have a lot of respect for Malcolm. We wish him well."

Butler didn't play on defense during the Super Bowl despite being on the field for 97.8 percent of the team's defensive snaps during the regular season, per Pro Football Reference.

New England surrendered 373 passing yards and three touchdowns to Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles in the 41-33 loss.

While Butler never gave a definitive reason why he was benched, he suggested during his introductory press conference with the Titans that visiting the hospital with flu-like symptoms one week before the Super Bowl may have had something to do with it.

Butler signed a five-year, $61 million contract with the Titans in free agency.