On Tuesday, former Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler signed a reported five-year, $61 million deal with Titans ending his career in New England.
Butler's time with the Patriots didn't end the way anyone would have hoped, as he was benched in Super Bowl LII.
On Wednesday, the 27-year-old opened up for the first time on what happened to the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe.
"I never got a reason," Butler said. "I feel like this was the reason: I got kind of sick. I went to the hospital. They probably thought I was kind of late on the game plan; I wasn't as locked in as I should be and could have been a matchup deal. It could have been anything. But Bill Belichick has been doing this for a very long time. He took a veteran out of Super Bowl XLIX [against the Seahawks] and put in a first-year rookie, and that turned out right, so you could never question his decision.
"It didn't work out right [against the Eagles]. It didn't work out the best for me or him or the New England Patriots. But I can say he won more than he lost, so it is what it is. I always have love for New England, Bill Belichick, Mr. Kraft, all those guys. Life just goes on."
Some expected to learn exactly what happened in the Super Bowl from Butler, but that doesn't appear to be the case.
Butler also thanked the fans in New England for their support.
"Like I always said, New England fans, they really love me, man," Butler said. "They loved me at times when they shouldn't love me. I know that, and they know that, too. For the most part, they really had love for me. My teammates, they should have my back because I never disrespected any of my teammates. I never disrespected any of my coaches. I always respected their authority. I always try to carry myself in a good way. I always remember where I came from, work hard, do what you're asked or told. The rumors, there is going to be stuff like that. Everybody is going to have their turn to get got or have false information put on them. That just comes with the territory. But everything worked out well. It is what it is."
