I think it's safe to say that we all saw this potentially coming.
Multiple NFL teams have inquired about whether legendary coach Bill Belichick would reconsider his move to college football – including the Raiders, whose new minority owner Tom Brady spoke recently with his old coach, per league sources. https://t.co/MoyG87epRv
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 8, 2025
According to Tom Pelissero, Bill Belichick has heard from multiple NFL teams regarding their current head coaching vacancies. One of those reported teams is the Las Vegas Raiders, an organization that features minority owner Tom Brady.
While the thought of Belichick actually coaching the UNC football program felt too good to be true, we all knew that the NFL would be lurking. Was taking the job at North Carolina a way to regain interest from the professional ranks while setting his son, Steve, up for a potential head coaching job if he decides to return to the NFL?
Needless to say, this could get messy.
Now, it hasn't been reported as to whether or not there is mutual interest on Belichick's end. However, giving his track record, you'd have to think that he'd at least be open to the possibility of returning to an NFL sideline this fall.
Let's face it: Belichick's buyout clause (one that goes down to $1 million dollars after June 1, 2025) was concerning in itself. In fact, this seems like a whole publicity stunt on both ends.
North Carolina was relevant in the football world with the hire while Belichick regained some value as he now had another gig in place.
These next few weeks have the potential to be absolutely brutal in Chapel Hill for the UNC football program if Belichick elects to take an NFL gig. At this point, it isn't a stretch by any means to think that we'll never actually see Bill Belichick on the sidelines as a coach for the UNC football program.
Buckle up: a bumpy ride could be on the horizon.