Bill Belichick Could Return to NFL, UNC Contract Leaves Door Open

Bill Belichick may be coaching at North Carolina now, but the NFL hasn’t given up on one of its greatest coaches. Even at 72, Belichick is still on the radar of teams looking for a proven leader. Recent reports suggest he could be back in the NFL sooner than many think.

NFL insider Josina Anderson said at least two NFL teams are expected to quietly explore talks with Belichick during the upcoming coaching changes. A third team might also join in if a key front-office move happens. While Belichick has said he isn’t looking for NFL jobs, there’s clearly interest behind the scenes.

So why didn’t Belichick get another NFL job after leaving the Patriots in 2023? It wasn’t just about teams not wanting him. Atlanta was very close to hiring him. Owner Arthur Blank seemed excited at first, but things fell apart when Belichick said he wanted to bring many of his former Patriots assistants. The Falcons, and possibly other teams, worried about how his strict style would fit with their front office.

His contract at UNC also suggests he might not stay in college football forever. If he leaves before June 1, 2025, the buyout is $10 million. But after the 2025 season, it drops to just $1 million—a small price for a coach of his stature.

Bill Belichick insists he’s committed to UNC, saying in November he won’t pursue NFL jobs. Still, some believe he took the college job partly to stay active while waiting for another NFL chance. He’s just 14 wins away from beating Don Shula’s all-time NFL coaching wins record, a milestone that surely still motivates him.

Journalist Pablo Torre recently explained why teams hesitated in hiring him. On the Joe Budden Podcast, he said NFL teams worried Bill Belichick couldn’t hire the right assistants. Torre also criticized Belichick’s coaching tree, pointing out that many former Patriots assistants struggled in new roles.

Without the right people around him, Bill Belichick’s weaknesses show. After Brady retired, he went 29–39 and struggled to find a strong quarterback. Now at UNC, the team is 4–7 and missed bowl eligibility in his first season, showing similar challenges at the college level.

Still, Bill Belichick’s reputation is strong, and the NFL is unpredictable. If a team thinks he has more to give, he could return to the league sooner than anyone expects.

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