Bill Belichick expands on North Carolina opening, 'different opportunities'

During a Monday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick confirmed that he has had conversations with North Carolina chancellor Lee Roberts regarding the Tar Heels' head-coaching vacancy.

On the latest edition of the "Let's Go!" SiriusXM show and podcast that was released early Monday evening, Belichick indicated he's keeping his options open. 

"I don’t have any set goals," Belichick said, as shared by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "I’m open to different opportunities going forward and I’ll just evaluate them as they come." 

Numerous reporters and analysts suggested ahead of this past weekend that Belichick speaking with North Carolina was his way of sending a message to NFL owners about his availability for the 2025 season. While interested teams can speak with the 72-year-old at any time since he isn't associated with a franchise, Florio reported on Sunday night that Belichick hadn't yet heard from any clubs. 

Many have assumed Belichick would accept an NFL job over the North Carolina gig largely because he's 15 wins away from setting a league record for career victories earned by a head coach (regular season and postseason combined). However, ESPN's Pete Thamel and Chris Low said on Monday that "some people with ties" to Belichick said he "has been sincere and thorough in his interest" as it pertains to the UNC opening. 

"I’m open to a number of thoughts," Belichick added during the "Let's Go!" segment. "Football at either the college or the professional level does interest me and I would explore those opportunities as well and ultimately see what everybody has to offer and what would be the best fit for me and potentially another organization."

Belichick has routinely been linked with the Dallas Cowboys going back to last winter, but Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has hinted on multiple occasions over the past month or so that he could retain head coach Mike McCarthy for at least one more season. It's thought Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan could eventually become interested in hiring Belichick, but Khan hasn't yet moved on from head coach Doug Pederson. 

"The more time passes without his phone ringing," Florio said about Belichick on Monday night, "the more interested he might be in a college job -- with the Tar Heels or maybe elsewhere." 

It remains to be seen if an NFL team will give Belichick a reason to reject North Carolina as soon as this week.