Insider report suggested Bill Belichick eyed the Jets before signing a $10 million/year deal with North Carolina
Bill Belichick walked away from the NFL to coach North Carolina college football, but he still tried a last gasp attempt by contacting the Jets.
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Bill Belichick, Stephen Belichick and Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)
Bill Belichick shocked the football world by agreeing to test the waters of college football and joined the University of North Carolina as their head coach. However, his desire to coach in the NFL was still hiding beneath the calm exterior.
As per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Belichick contacted the Jets and inquired about the head coach’s position, left vacant after they fired Robert Saleh. Even though Jeff Ulbrich is managing the team, it’s more than likely the Jets front office will demote him to his original defensive coordinator role.
Russini wrote in her article that Belichick’s representatives contacted the Jets after Saleh’s departure back in October. The talks eventually broke down as they continued to search for other options, which included teams such as the New Orleans Saints, the Chicago Bears, and even the Dallas Cowboys.
A surprise NFL team heard from Bill Belichick 👀
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) December 14, 2024
Also, the latest on the futures of the Patriots, Browns, Cowboys, and Panthers' head coaches.
Here is what I’m hearing around the league :https://t.co/oeBcFpvNZW pic.twitter.com/WsuNL55MvZ
Bill Belichick and the Jets don’t share a favorable bond with each other
72-year-old Belichick spent more than half of his life coaching in the NFL. He was part of the New York Giants team led by Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor that won two Super Bowls in the 1980s. Then briefly joined the Browns for a few years before agreeing to be part of Bill Parcells’ New York Jets coaching team.
After Parcells stepped down from the head coach’s position, the Jets appointed Belichick but resigned without even managing one game. Apparently, he wasn’t too keen on working with the new owner Woody Johnson.
After rejecting the offer, Belichick went on to coach the Jets’ divisional rivals, the New England Patriots, for two decades and won six Super Bowls before stepping down following an abysmal 2023 season. He was constantly on the hunt for a new job, interviewing for teams such as the Atlanta Falcons and the Jacksonville Jaguars, but neither reciprocated his wishes.
Instead of sitting at home, Belichick decided to try his hand at being a football analyst for a year. At the same time, he met with Jordon Hudson and the two began dating each other. Yet he still wanted to coach.
When the Jets cut Saleh, Belichick criticized Johnson for his lack of judgment.
That’s kind of what it’s been there at the Jets… Barely won over 30 percent in the last 10 years The owner being the owner, just ready, fire, aim. I’m not a big Jets fan, in case you don’t know that. I like Fireman Ed, but that’s it.
Bill Belichick said during an appearance on the ManningCast [ESPN] in October
Eventually, Belichick made a complete U-turn and struck a $10 million/year deal with North Carolina to be their head coach for the 2025 season. He, along with Michael Lombardi and Matt Patricia, currently occupies a section of the coaching team at Chapel Hill.
Related: Keyshawn Johnson has a five-word response to De’Vondre Campbell abandoning 49ers teammates mid-game
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Ishan Misra
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