Mike Lombardi defends Bill Belichick’s dedication to UNC amid NFL rumors
Chapel Hill: So, there’s been some chatter about Bill Belichick possibly leaving North Carolina for the NFL. But Mike Lombardi, who’s close to Belichick, is setting the record straight.
According to NFL Media, some teams, including the Raiders, reached out to Belichick about a potential return to the NFL. But Lombardi called that a “complete falsehood” on Pat McAfee’s show.
When asked if they were committed to UNC, Lombardi was clear: “Completely committed. One thousand percent committed.” He emphasized that Belichick was busy recruiting when those rumors popped up.
Lombardi also pointed out that the story was misinterpreted. It wasn’t that Belichick was leaving; it was just that teams were curious about his interest. He made it sound like there’s no real interest from NFL teams in Belichick right now.
He even mentioned how Belichick and he often talk about how crazy the NFL is and how grateful they are to be in college football. They’re really enjoying their time at UNC and want to make the university proud.
However, there’s a catch. Belichick’s contract has a buyout clause that drops significantly in a couple of years. So, if he wanted to leave, it wouldn’t cost him much. Lombardi’s comments might not mean much if that clause is still in play.
In the end, as long as that buyout exists, Belichick has an easy way back to the NFL if he chooses. So, it’s a wait-and-see game for everyone involved.