Whereas it regarded like Invoice Belichick made a preemptive transfer to go on the 2025 HC carousel, groups are inquisitive about seeing if he would hop again on for a second straight yr. Belichick took the highest job in North Carolina final month, however he’s now related to NFL vacancies once more.
The Raiders are among them, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who studies Tom Brady — who’s enjoying a central position within the Las Vegas HC search — not too long ago contacted his former coach to see a few reunion. A notable buyout quantity exists in Belichick’s Tar Heels contract, however it might not be a dealbreaker for an NFL workforce, contemplating what Belichick was incomes with the Patriots. At the least one different workforce has inquired as properly.
Earlier than June 1, it might value an NFL workforce $10M in a buyout scenario with the ACC school. After that date, the buyout drops to $1M. The $10M fee could be due inside 180 days, The Athletic’s Tashan Reed adds. This was basically designed to make sure a Belichick dedication this yr, and at his age (73 in April), it’s unrealistic to anticipate too many extra connections to NFL jobs past this yr. That made his Tar Heels determination so shocking, contemplating the eight-time Tremendous Bowl winner (counting two DC rings) had solely coached within the NFL earlier than the December determination.
Some at North Carolina are involved in regards to the buyout situation, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, who signifies that $10M has not bothered NFL folks. This stands to provide Belichick an precise security college, so to talk, as it might stand to motive he could be inquisitive about an NFL alternative — had been it to come back alongside after a befuddling 2024.
The Raiders fired Antonio Pierce on Tuesday, and veteran NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that a part of the delay was because of the availability of two unnamed candidates. It’s attainable {that a} feeler to Belichick indicated intrigue, although no interview is scheduled but. The Raiders have to date despatched invitations to Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson, with ex-Belichick assistant Brian Flores additionally on the radar. Contemplating Belichick’s previous with Josh McDaniels, this would definitely be an attention-grabbing pursuit.
Certainly, Pelissero provides Brady spoke with Belichick whereas the Raiders had been figuring out Pierce’s future. It could stand to motive the quarterback-turned-announcer/minority proprietor’s former boss indicated he was . Mark Davis turning again to the Patriot Method could be unusual, given how rapidly the McDaniels-Dave Ziegler regime unraveled. However Davis has given Brady appreciable authority, signaling he’s OK with sure members of the previous dynasty.
The faculty sport has modified considerably this decade, with the NIL panorama and switch portal reshaping all sports activities — soccer chief amongst them. Belichick signing on throughout this time at all times made for an odd match, even together with his intensive background operating an NFL workforce. Belichick, nonetheless, was believed to be learning the school sport as he decided potential NFL matches. No important curiosity was believed to have come the legendary coach’s method from the league after the Falcons interviewed him twice final yr — being the one workforce to satisfy with him a few prime job — solely to go on him for Raheem Morris. Belichick was then reported to be “disgusted” with the NFL, setting his sights on the school sport.
While the other NFL Belichick suitors are unknown, Pelissero mentions the Jaguars as a potential fit. Belichick has a relationship with Tony Khan, the son of Jaguars proprietor Shad Khan, and was loosely tied to that job earlier this season. A Belichick-Trent Baalke partnership was believed to be a non-starter, however the Jags could be open to an association wherein Baalke slides to a unique position within the group after a four-year run as GM. Jacksonville, nonetheless, can be highly interested in Johnson.
Given how excessive Davis has been on Brady’s enter since his official arrival as a part-owner, the brand new organizational voice stumping for Belichick would make this a scenario to carefully monitor. Whereas it might put North Carolina in a nasty spot, Belichick noticed how different groups seen him throughout the 2024 offseason, because the age subject proved important. This might be his final probability at an NFL gig, so it might be logical if this Raiders avenue would generate attraction.
