Bill Belichick has reportedly not yet signed his contract with UNC, sparking new speculation that he could leave his role in college football and return to the NFL before coaching a game.
Belichick surprised the football world by taking over as head coach at the University of North Carolina late last year, rather than wait for his return to the NFL.
But it has now emerged that, according to CBS, the 72-year-old has only signed a contract which is not legally binding. It means that if Belichick were to leave the team for an NFL franchise, all parties would be in a gray area legally.
CBS Sports says UNC has even confirmed that the term sheet is the only document Belichick has signed so far.
Since being introduced as head coach, Belichick has looked like a committed college coach. In addition to publicly dismissing claims that he could leave at the first sign of NFL interest, he has been traveling around the country recruiting high school prospects and building his coaching staff.
But NFL teams are still said to be trying their luck. Tom Brady reportedly sounded out Belichick about what would have been a potentially surprising meeting in Las Vegas to coach the Raiders.
And now, the Dallas Cowboys vacancy is also available after Jerry Jones, with whom Belichick is said to have a positive relationship, fired head coach Mike McCarthy this week.
“I didn't come here to leave,” Belichick said at his introductory news conference in Chapel Hill.
But even if his contract had already been signed, there would have been a $10 million buyout clause for NFL teams to sign Belichick before June 1. After that, it would be reduced to just $1 million.
Belichick left the New England Patriots in January 2024 after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles.
The Patriots replaced him with Jerod Mayo, who coached on Belichick's staff, but fired Mayo in early January after just one season, hiring Mike Vrabel in his place.
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