Bill Belichick’s lucrative contract with the North Carolina Tar Heels contains some interesting details which suggest that an eventual return to the NFL isn’t out of the question.
In a bit of a surprise move, Bill Belichick accepted an offer to take over the Tar Heels’ football program. Last month, legendary head coach Mack Brown was fired and replaced by UNC assistant Freddie Kitchens.
Given Belichick’s reputation as perhaps the greatest coach in league history, it felt like he was a safe bet to return to the NFL in 2025. Belichick may have signed a multi-year deal with UNC, but there’s a path to a return to the NFL if he wishes.
Per The Athletic’s Chris Vannini, Bill Belichick’s contract with UNC contains a $10 million buyout close prior to June 1, 2025. However, a post-June 1 buyout would only cost the school $1 million.
So if Bill Belichick goes back to the NFL, the Tar Heels wouldn’t have to pay too much money if they wait til June 1. So no, he is not totally closing the door on a potential return to the league that employed him for nearly a half-century.
Bill Belichick's buyout to leave is $10 million… until June 1, 2025, when it drops to $1 million.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 12, 2024
So it will be easy for Belichick to go back to the NFL after one year if the opportunity presents itself. pic.twitter.com/rrvaMci3DC
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Belichick’s contract with the Tar Heels is for five years with a $50 million price tag. It should be noted that the final two years of the deal aren’t guaranteed, so the Tar Heels have multiple ways out of if the Belichick experiment flops.
Win-Win For Bill Belichick
This scenario could not play out much better for the eight-time Super Bowl champion. If he flourishes at UNC, then he can either a) continue his joyful tenure at the school or b) return to the NFL.
It’s possible that other NFL clubs will never want to re-hire Bill Belichick, but in that case, he can at least enjoy his passion for coaching at the collegiate levels. There’s a lot less stress and hours involved in the college ranks compared to the NFL, after all.
