While coaching at the college ranks is new to Bill Belichick, it doesn't take away from the vast amount of experience he accumulated as a successful NFL head coach.
Belichick is no stranger to quarterback competitions during training camp. Sure, Tom Brady was the undisputed starter for most of Belichick's tenure in New England, but he did have to manuever through some competitions (anyone remember the battle between Mac Jones, Cam Newton, and Brian Hoyer in 2021?!)
With training camp officially underway for the UNC football program, Belichick was asked about his current quarterback situation. The new head coach of the Tar Heels gave the right answer, citing that the program is in no rush to make a final decision.
Belichick on QB: "It’s better to make the right decision than a quick decision. So that’s what we’ll try to do. That’s one of the key questions we have to answer." Says "the sooner, the better." 2 weeks before opener? "It’s not us picking them, it’ll be that player earning it."
— Brian Murphy (@murphsturph) August 2, 2025
"It's better to make the right decision than a quick decision."
Of course, North Carolina would love for their starting quarterback to emerge sooner rather than later, but the staff also understands the importance of competition throughout camp. They want each player to be pushed on a daily basis, understanding that their number can be called at any given time (in any situation).
If you ask Conner Harrell or Jacolby Criswell, neither quarterback expected to be thrust into action like they were during the 2024 season. That's why you always have to be ready to go.
Gio Lopez appears to be the current front-runner for the job, but the competition will certainly challenge for the spot. True freshman Bryce Baker comes to Chapel Hill with a ton of hype, given he was one of the top quarterbacks to come out of the 2025 recruiting class. Max Johnson's improving health is also something to take into consideration, as he expects to reclaim the job he won out of training camp a year ago.
For now, Belichick and the UNC football program are taking the patient approach. They will let it play out, allowing the players to capitalize on the opportunities in front of them.
Let the competition officially begin!