Bill Belichick’s résumé is untouchable. Six Super Bowls as a head coach. Nine AFC titles. The most playoff wins in NFL history. A defensive mastermind who built a dynasty that spanned two decades in New England.
Now, after parting ways with the Patriots, the legendary coach is stepping into a new role as the head coach of the University of North Carolina, a surprising shift to the college ranks after a career spent dominating the pros.
But even as he prepares for his next challenge, Belichick isn’t done shaping the conversation around the NFL. In a recent interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio, he made headlines by suggesting the league rename its most coveted prize, the Vince Lombardi Trophy. His proposal? Call it the “Brady Trophy” in honor of the one player who has won more than anyone else.
Does Bill Belichick Have a Case?
Belichick’s argument was simple: players, not coaches, are the ones who win games — and no player in NFL history has won more than Tom Brady. Seven rings. Five Super Bowl MVPs. The most wins, touchdowns, and passing yards the league has ever seen.
If championships define greatness, then isn’t there only one name that belongs on the trophy handed to the NFL’s best?
At the core of his reasoning was a point he’s made before: coaches can only do so much. Game plans matter, but execution wins titles. “Players win games,” Belichick said. “You can’t win without good players. I don’t care who the coach is. It’s impossible.”
Bill Belichick thinks the NFL should rename the Lombardi Trophy after Tom Brady—since players are the reason you win.
"Maybe they should name it the 'Brady Trophy.' He won seven of them."
(🎥 @SiriusXMNFL)pic.twitter.com/TysCrFLAE3
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 29, 2025
Lombardi’s influence on football is undeniable. His Packers were the gold standard of their era, and his coaching philosophy remains a pillar of the sport. But in today’s game, dynasties aren’t built on legendary head coaches, they’re built on quarterbacks. The modern NFL is quarterback-driven, and no player has dominated the Super Bowl era like Brady.
Beyond his rings and records, Brady symbolizes sustained excellence in a physical sport where it’s rarely seen. He won with different rosters, different coordinators, and even different playing styles. If the goal of football is to win championships, no one has embodied that goal more than the man with seven.
Of course, changing the name of the league’s most famous trophy would be no small decision. The Lombardi name carries decades of history, and the NFL rarely moves away from tradition. But Belichick’s point — that the game’s greatest player should be recognized at the highest level — will continue to spark debate.