The football world was stunned when legendary head coach Bill Belichick accepted the role of leading the University of North Carolina football team. Now, just over a month after agreeing to a five-year contract, reports have emerged that Belichick has yet to sign the contract, only agreeing upon an offer sheet.
Many are now wondering if the agreed-upon contract, which includes a $10 million buyout if Belichick decides to leave before June 1, 2025, is binding or not. The question now becomes, if Belichick does choose to leave for the NFL, will he or whichever team he signs with have to pay out the $10 million?
Why Are There Talks of Bill Belichick Leaving?
New at @CBSSports: Bill Belichick does not have a signed contract at UNC, which is not uncommon in college but does introduce gray area as to how much — if any — of the $10M buyout would be paid should he bolt for the NFL https://t.co/ccpPLI1zSd
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 16, 2025
The rumors of Belichick leaving UNC so soon began swirling when the Las Vegas Raiders fired head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco. News that minority owner Tom Brady was paving the way for his former coach’s return to the NFL added fuel to the fire.
Reports suggest multiple NFL teams have reached out to Belichick to gauge his intentions, including Brady and the Raiders. This comes despite Belichick stating during his introductory press conference at UNC that he “didn’t come here to leave.”
I’m told the offer sheet between Bill Belichick and North Carolina is binding, that Belichick is on a recruiting trip right now and there is no plan for him to renege on his current agreement for any potential NFL offer.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) January 16, 2025
Belichick Staying Put at UNC
One man who has certainly heard the reports regarding Belichick’s status in North Carolina is the team’s general manager, Michael Lombardi.Â
Bill is recruiting in DC today and Baltimore tomorrow. His focus is on North Carolina football, hiring staff members and developing the team. The NFL isnt a option so please stop making it one. Thank you. https://t.co/Z5sRAcYOCB
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiuncgm) January 16, 2025
“Bill Belichick is committed to North Carolina. He’s committed to me. He’s committed to the university. There’s been no conversation about anything,” Lombardi said on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
Lombardi is adamant that Belichick is the Tar Heels’ guy for the near future and that the coach has zero intentions of bailing. Have these rumors been the product of NFL teams simply inquiring about the coaches’ availability and stirring the pot? Or is this just another case of media speculation?
Should Belichick Stay or Go?
All signs point to Belichick sticking around in Chapel Hill. He has long discussed wanting to coach college football, and now he gets his chance, immediately turning a historic basketball-focused school into a go-to CFB destination.
For young football players who grew up watching his New England Patriots dominate the NFL, the chance to play for the legendary Coach Belichick is a dream come true.
But reasons he could go back to the NFL someday, if not soon, are apparent.
Sitting just 26 wins from tying Don Shula’s record for most regular-season wins in NFL history (14 shy of overall wins) is a glaring reason. Although the record is reportedly not essential for him to achieve, it’s almost certainly in the back of his mind.
So long as the Raiders or any other prestigious franchises are looking for a head coach, rumors of Belichick’s potential NFL return will persist.
With all the uncertainty surrounding his binding or non-binding contract, one thing is certain: Belichick has begun his work on the recruiting trail at North Carolina.
As he walks a new path with UNC football, Belichick isn’t just opening a new chapter in his storied career — he’s adding another layer to his legendary coaching legacy.