Belichick says he respects Butler's competitiveness, did what's best for team

After the New England Patriots were rumored to be attempting to deal cornerback Malcolm Butler for much of last offseason, the relationship between team and player may be at a new low.

Related: Patriots' Butler benched on defense due to coach's decision

The benched Butler spoke after the Super Bowl LII loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and said the Patriots gave up on him, after he started all but one of the first 18 games this season and ranked among the team's defensive leaders in snaps played.

Head coach Bill Belichick addressed those statements in Monday's post-Super Bowl conference call.

"I respect Malcolm’s competitiveness and I am sure that he felt like he could have helped. I am sure other players felt the same way, but in the end, we have to make the decisions that we feel are best for the football team and that is what we did, that is what I did. That’s really all I can say about it,” Belichick said, according to Ryan Hannable of WEEI.

Butler ranked No. 51 among Pro Football Focus' 121 qualified cornerbacks this season, ahead of players such as Josh Norman and Janoris Jenkins.

While he was glued to the bench, the Patriots surrendered 373 passing yards and three touchdowns to Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, and an additional touchdown pass from tight end Trey Burton.