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Bill Belichick has had a difficult time keeping the focus on football as he prepares for his first season as the head coach at North Carolina, and some Tar Heels fans might be a bit uneasy about how simple it would be for the 73-year-old to walk away.
Belichick’s contract with UNC is structured in a way that essentially allows him to change his mind with minimal financial penalty — at least relatively speaking. He is making $10 million per year and currently has a $10 million buyout. That buyout figure will decrease to $1 million on June 1.
The buyout was probably structured to protect UNC in the event that Belichick received an unexpected offer to coach an NFL team. With the hiring cycle having passed in the NFL, there is no chance of that happening this season. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes, however, Belichick has an easy out if he were to decide his new gig is not worth the drama, much of which he has created himself.
Belichick has constantly made headlines for his relationship with 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson. The latest wave came on Friday, when Pablo Torre reported that Hudson has been banned from UNC’s football facility. UNC officials issued a statement denying the report and said Hudson is welcome at the facility even though she is not a university employee.
The statement from UNC also said that Hudson “will continue to manage all activities related to Coach Belichick’s personal brand,” which confirms that Hudson is something of a public relations manager for the six-time Super Bowl champion.
The spotlight on Belichick’s relationship with Hudson became even brighter last month when Belichick sat down for an interview with Tony Dokoupil of “CBS Mornings.” Hudson sat nearby during the interview and was described by CBS’ narrator as a “constant presence.” She awkwardly interrupted at one point when Belichick was asked about how he and Hudson met (video here).
That interview generated so much attention that Belichick felt the need to issue a statement defending Hudson.
Here is the bottom line: If Belichick is in love with Hudson and is unhappy with the way UNC is handling his relationship, all he has to do is pay $1 million after June 1 to tear up his contract. For someone who currently has a $10 million salary and was the highest-paid coach in the NFL for years, that amount of money is insignificant.
Belichick has already been recruiting at UNC, so it would be a PR disaster for him if he were to leave the school before his first season began. Should he decide to do that, perhaps his PR manager would be able to help him handle the backlash.
More must-reads:
- UNC answers whether Bill Belichick's girlfriend is banned from facility
- Ex-Patriot changes his tune on Bill Belichick’s relationship with Jordon Hudson
- The '2023 NFL AP second-team All-Pro' quiz
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Former Oregon WR's career may have new life after transfer decision
Ryan Pellum's career with the Oregon Ducks was over before it even started, but it may have new life. The former four-star wideout from Long Beach, California, was ranked as the No. 26 wide receiver in the 2024 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Pellum took a redshirt last season at Oregon before hitting the transfer portal in January. He was then arrested and charged with assault with use of a firearm after he allegedly pistol-whipped someone in his hometown on Christmas Day in 2024. In June, Pellum was sentenced to probation as part of a plea deal, and now he's trying to get his college football hopes back on track. As such, it's being reported that Pellum will transfer to Delaware State for the 2025 season. Notably, he'll be joining up with former NFL star and three-time Pro Bowler DeSean Jackson, who is heading into his first season as the Hornets' head coach. As a senior in high school, Pellum caught 66 passes for 991 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was at one time committed to USC, but he flipped to Dan Lanning and the Ducks on signing day. Delaware State, located in Dover, Delaware, is an FCS program that is a part of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Hornets went 2-21 over the past two seasons under head coach Lee Hull, who was fired less than two years after he took over the program.
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The Green Bay Packers’ front office has made a habit of unearthing underappreciated talent in the NFL Draft, and rookie Barryn Sorrell might be their latest gem. A fourth-round pick out of Texas, Sorrell has turned heads in training camp and delivered a standout performance in the Packers’ preseason opener against the New York Jets. It’s early, but the buzz is building—Sorrell could be the steal of the entire 2025 NFL Draft. Here’s a closer look at Sorrell’s impressive week, why coaches are raving about him, and what his role on the team could look like as the season unfolds. Green Bay Packers Barryn Sorrell: Preseason Debut Though the Green Bay Packers fell short against the Jets in their preseason opener, Sorrell’s debut was nothing short of promising. Lining up on the defensive edge, the rookie flashed the explosiveness and technique that made him a standout for the Texas Longhorns in college. Pro Football Focus gave Sorrell a team-best pass rush grade of 87.9 for the game, showcasing his ability to generate pressure. While Green Bay didn’t record a sack as a team, Sorrell came close on multiple occasions, recording two quarterback hits and two pressures. On one notable snap, he effortlessly tossed Jets tackle Max Mitchell aside before delivering a clean shot on quarterback Brady Cook, demonstrating a pass rush technique well beyond his years. “He looked sharp out there—really sharp,” Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said after the game. “For a young guy stepping into this environment, his ability to impact the game with consistent pressure is what we want to see moving forward.” The Work Ethic That Sets Him Apart What has impressed coaches just as much as Sorrell’s on-field performance is his relentless effort and commitment to improvement. Practice reports continually highlight his hustle during drills and scrimmages. From chasing down plays to perfecting minor details in his technique, Sorrell has demonstrated the kind of mindset that coaches love to see in young players. “He’s got a motor that doesn’t stop,” linebackers coach Sean Duggan said. “When you see a guy like Barryn putting in that level of effort, it elevates the whole group. That’s been his reputation since he arrived in Green Bay.” That reputation has driven Sorrell to stand out during training camp and preseason, setting him apart despite a crowded defensive rotation. Why Sorrell Is Being Dubbed a Steal Draft analysts have been quick to call Sorrell one of the smartest picks of the 2025 Draft, though hindsight reveals just how much of a sleeper he was going in. Coming out of Texas, Sorrell had been productive at the collegiate level, showcasing a knack for disrupting plays in the backfield. However, concerns about his relatively modest size (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) for an every-down edge rusher caused him to slide to the fourth round. It’s now becoming clear that those concerns were overstated. General manager Brian Gutekunst, who has built a reputation for finding value in the mid-to-late rounds, once again seems to have struck gold. Sorrell’s early success highlights why many now believe that he should have gone much earlier in the draft. “There’s zero reason he should’ve fallen that far,” said one AFC scout. “The Packers got a guy with Day 2 talent in the fourth round, and it won’t take long before he proves it.” Eyes on the Future The Packers’ philosophy of building through the draft has rarely been more evident than in their approach to Barryn Sorrell. With veteran leadership guiding him and coaches invested in his development, the rookie appears to be in a near-perfect situation to succeed. For a team looking to solidify its defensive identity, finding a player like Sorrell is invaluable. His work ethic, playmaking ability, and high football IQ give him every chance of being a long-term cornerstone for Green Bay’s pass rush. Final Thoughts It’s far too early for definitive conclusions, but Barryn Sorrell’s introduction to the NFL has Green Bay Packers fans excited. His performance in camp and the preseason has already exceeded expectations, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what could be an immensely bright future. If his current trajectory holds, Sorrell won’t just be a steal of the draft—he’ll be a key piece in the Packers’ ongoing pursuit of greatness.
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Troubling news emerges on Bears QB Caleb Williams’ workout with HC Ben Johnson
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