NFL notes: 'A lot of things' went into Malcolm Butler's Super Bowl benching

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was no more forthcoming on Monday about his surprise benching of one-time Super Bowl star Malcolm Butler.

Speaking on a conference call the day after the Patriots blew their chance at a sixth NFL title with a 41-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Belichick said "there are a lot of things that go into that." He declined to be specific.

Butler's interception in the end zone in the final minute of the Super Bowl against Seattle clinched New England's 2014 NFL championship. He had been one of the Patriots' steadiest players this season, appearing in 98 percent of the defensive snaps and starting 17 of 18 games.

But the defensive back made it on the field for only one play on Sunday — on special teams. He appeared to be crying during the national anthem. And after the game, he told ESPN, that he "could have changed that game."

Belichick said on Monday: "I respect Malcolm's competitiveness, and I'm sure that he felt like he could have helped. I'm sure other players felt the same way."

Butler was not available to the media after the team's buses returned to their home stadium on Monday afternoon. He is an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

The Detroit Lions officially named Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as their new head coach.

Patricia, 43, spent the past 14 seasons on Belichick's Patriots staff, including the past six as defensive coordinator.

Fresh off their first Super Bowl title, the Eagles arrived home to a hero's welcome Monday afternoon at Philadelphia International Airport.

Hundreds of fans greeted the team's plane, cheering wildly and singing "Fly Eagles Fly" as Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie emerged with the Lombardi Trophy.

The city scheduled a victory parade for Thursday. Revelers along the route will be able to indulge in free Bud Light at two dozen bars, thanks to a promise the beer maker made to Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson before the season.

Philadelphia had some cleaning up to do after pockets of Eagles fans turned unruly overnight, with rowdies smashing department store windows, looting a gas station convenience store and toppling a number of the city's light poles. The police commissioner said he and other officers were hit with bottles.