Malcolm Butler on Being Benched in Super Bowl Loss: 'This How We Gonna End This'

Malcolm Butler is speaking out about being benched by New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles last month. 

In an appearance on Sports Illustrated TV, Butler admitted he wanted to ask Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia during the Super Bowl if "this how we gonna end this?"

Butler played just one snap for the Patriots on special teams in their 41-33 loss to the Eagles on Feb. 4.

Belichick and the Patriots have been quiet on why the cornerback didn't play on defense in the Super Bowl. 

"I'm not going to get into last year, I'm not going to get into next year or some other year," Belichick told reporters on Sunday. "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."

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Butler was benched for multiple issues, including an illness, "a rough week of practice" and a curfew violation. 

Butler played in 97.8 percent of New England's defensive snaps during the season prior to the Super Bowl. He led the team with 12 passes defensed. 

After four seasons with the Patriots, Butler signed a five-year deal with the Tennessee Titans earlier this month.