There may come a time this season when Bill Belichick has no choice but to make a change at the quarterback position.
However, that time just isn't here yet.
While speaking to the media on Monday ahead of Saturday afternoon's clash with No. 3-ranked Notre Dame, Belichick was asked if Billy Edwards will remain his starting quarterback.
In typical Belichick fashion, the answer was short, sweet and to the point:
"Yes."
Bill Belichick was asked if Billy Edwards will remain UNC’s starting QB. “Yes”
— Andrew Jones (@AJTarHeel247) September 28, 2026
If one word could describe Edwards Jr.'s performance through his first three games as a Tar Heel, mediocre would probably fit best. While he hasn't been as bad as Gio Lopez (who, credit to him, has bounced back nicely at Wake Forest) was a season ago, he hasn't lit the world on fire either, and his latest outing against Clemson proved that UNC has a bigger question mark at the quarterback position than we all originally thought.
Edwards Jr. completed just 13 of 30 passes for 135 yards. Competing against UNC's first conference opponent of the season, his inability to throw the ball down the field was evident, a major sign of concern for this offense moving forward.
In fact, throwing the football downfield has been an issue for the veteran quarterback all season. The former Wisconsin Badger has connected on just 11 of 33 passes beyond 10 yards, a stat that shows us a major limitation for this offensive attack.
You can't live with short play-action passes and screens all game long. Eventually, defenses are going to challenge you to throw the ball downfield, especially if they know you've had trouble doing so.
Sure, everyone's emotions were high after UNC's collapse against Clemson, and Edwards Jr. didn't help his case with his performance. Heading into the bye week, there were plenty of fans on social media clamoring for a change at the position, but, as Lee Corso famously coined:
"NOT SO FAST, MY FRIEND!"
Even with two weeks to prepare, this would be an awful time for Belichick to make a quarterback change. No one is saying that Edwards Jr. will be the team's starter for the entire 2026 season, but a rash decision to make a change would've been catastrophic for UNC as they look to defy the odds and beat the mighty Fighting Irish.
Essentially, having Miles O'Neill make his first collegiate start against Notre Dame would've set him up to fail, which, in turn, would've led to some fans asking for more changes at the position!
You see, it's a never-ending cycle.
It's easy for us all to say that, since our jobs aren't on the line every week. Belichick and his staff have to put their best options out there to win games, since next year doesn't matter until we finish business right now.
Unlike in the past, when guys stuck around one program for the length of their college career, there's no guarantee that the guys on the current roster who have eligibility left will even be around next year.
Given these factors, Belichick and his staff should take a closer look at both O'Neill and true freshman Travis Burgess. With Edwards Jr. out of eligibility at season's end, UNC needs to figure out its quarterback situation for 2027, and, by all accounts, they have high hopes for both guys behind him on the depth chart.
Who knows when (or even if) UNC will need to change the quarterback. Heck, Edwards Jr. might bounce back this week in grand style, seize the job by the horns, and lead UNC to a few more victories. That would obviously be the ideal scenario, one that Belichick and his staff believe he very much can do.
While we understand fans who want a quarterback change immediately, we urge you to be a bit more patient. The timing isn't right, but that could change depending on how Edwards Jr. performs over the next few weeks.
Barring injury or absolutely abysmal play from Edwards, don't expect a change at quarterback until at least October 24, when UNC returns home for a two-game home stand following a tough three-game stretch against a trio of unbeaten teams.
We will learn a lot about this team over the next few weeks. For now, be patient and let the situation work itself out.
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