NFL Rumors: Tom Brady, Bill Belichick Discussed Raiders Job; UNC HC Has $10M Buyout

Bill Belichick hasn’t even made it to spring practice yet in his first season as the head coach of North Carolina’s football program, but he has reportedly already drawn interest from multiple NFL teams.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday that Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady spoke to Belichick “about what it would take to make a reunion happen.”

That would, according to Pelissero, make the Raiders one of the “multiple NFL teams” that has “inquired” about Belichick’s willingness to return to the NFL and leave the Tar Heels even after agreeing to a five-year contract with the ACC program.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini later reported Belichick “has no plans to return to the NFL” and that “his sole focus is on coaching and recruiting for North Carolina.”

Belichick’s contract features a $10 million buyout if he leaves before June 1, 2025.

While that may seem like a costly price tag for a team that would be interested in hiring Belichick, Pelissero explained why that isn’t truly the case.

“Belichick’s contract at North Carolina includes a $10 million buyout if he leaves prior to June 1, 2025, though it’s not entirely clear whether it would apply if he returns to the NFL in the coming weeks,” Pelissero wrote. “Either way, it’s a fraction of Belichick’s salary by the end of his Patriots tenure, making it relatively easy to get out of, whether an NFL team or Belichick himself pays the buyout.”

This is just the latest twist in the Belichick situation, which took a shocking turn when he accepted the job at North Carolina after not coaching in the NFL during the 2024 campaign.

After all, the 72-year-old NFL legend doesn’t have any experience as a head coach at the collegiate level and is stepping into a difficult world to manage with recruiting, conference realignment, the transfer portal and NIL opportunities taking up time in addition to game preparation.

Even Brady was among those who expressed their surprise at the development during a Fox broadcast, although he also praised the coach as an all-time great:

Brady’s role with the Raiders is now under the spotlight as the team begins its search for a new head coach after firing Antonio Pierce.

Russini reported the all-time great will have “a lot” of influence on the coaching search, which is all the more notable given his connections. In addition to his time with Belichick on the New England Patriots, he is a former teammate of coaching candidate Mike Vrabel.

But Belichick clearly left an impression on Brady as they won six Super Bowls together during their dynasty runs in New England.

Pelissero reported “Brady believes the situation in Las Vegas requires a coach of Belichick’s expertise and stature to establish a sustainable winning program.” Whether that means hiring the man himself remains to be seen, but there has reportedly at least been a conversation.

For now, though, Belichick is on the recruiting trail as he attempts to build a winner with the Tar Heels.