Malcom Butler: 'They Gave Up On Me'

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — In a span of three years, New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler went from Super Bowl hero to not playing a single defensive down at the biggest game of the season.

Butler was notably absent from Sunday's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. At halftime, head coach Bill Belichick was asked by NBC Sports about the decision and he said it was done to give his team the best chance of winning. He was asked about it during the postgame press conference, where he said it was a football decision and denied that it was part of a disciplinary issue.

Butler left the Patriots locker room very quickly after the game, but told ESPN's Mike Reiss and Adam Schefter outside the team bus, "They gave up on me. F—. It is what it is. I don't know what it was. I guess I wasn't playing good or they didn't feel comfortable. I don't know. But I could have changed that game."

Other players told NBC Sports Boston's Mike Giardi and Phil Perry that they were aware that Butler was not part of the plan and one said he didn't think it was a beneficial move.

Outgoing defensive coordinator Matt Patricia said Butler's absence was due to the defensive packages that they use.

"We're just trying to put everyone in the right spot to make plays, the guys that we thought could make plays in the right situation," Patricia said.

This could be the last time Butler is seen in a Patriots uniform. He will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Image: Malcolm Butler warms up for Super Bowl LII. Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images