Bill Belichick Rumors: Details Of College Contract Leaves NFL Door Open

Bill Belichick said he’s all in on North Carolina, but the former New England Patriots head coach still seems to be keeping a foot outside Chapel Hill, N.C.

The 72-year-old told reporters at his introductory press conference that he didn’t sign with the Tar Heels intending to leave. General manager Michael Lombardi said Belichick was “1,000% committed” to the university.

However, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones on Thursday revealed there is not a “fully executed and signed contract” between Belichick and UNC. The school confirmed this to the NFL insider, who cited NFL sources claiming there would be a legal gray area regarding the head coach’s buyout; Belichick has a $10 million buyout if he left North Carolina before June 1 but would shrink to $1 million after that date.

“Belichick signed a term sheet proposal with UNC on Dec. 11. That laid out the basic and somewhat typical terms for a high-level college football coach,” Jones wrote. “A gap of multiple months between the signing of a term sheet and a final contract being executed is common in the college ranks, industry sources said.”

The hazy details of the agreement mean that a potential legal dispute could pop up if Belichick left without paying a buyout. It also means that because the eight-time Super Bowl champion didn’t sign a contract, NFL teams could talk to him without permission from UNC.

Tom Brady and Belichick reportedly spoke about the vacant Las Vegas Raiders head coaching position, but the future Hall of Famer declined. However, the Dallas Cowboys job became open this week, and Jerry Jones could make a phone call to his close friend.

Belichick reportedly considered Dallas last year as a way to “stick it” to Robert Kraft. While the Patriots legend was happy for Mike Vrabel’s return to Foxboro, Mass., he might still carry bitter feelings toward the franchise.

Belichick and his camp likely will still deny any interest in leaving North Carolina. It could take until the first Tar Heels game of the season to quell any speculation of Belichick returning to the NFL.