Bill Belichick addresses NFL return rumors after 'Black Monday' firings

The Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans and New York Giants are all searching for new head coaches coming off the NFL's "Black Monday." 

It appears current North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick has no interest in interviewing for any of those jobs this winter. 

Will Bill Belichick campaign for NFL jobs this offseason? 

"Nothing’s changed," Belichick said about his status during the latest edition of the "Let's Go!" SiriusXM show and podcast, per Lauren Campbell of MassLive. "I’m where I was a month ago. I’m here in North Carolina."

Belichick remains 15 wins away from breaking Don Shula's NFL record for career victories earned by a head coach (including regular season and postseason). Additionally, Belichick reportedly would owe North Carolina just a $1M buyout if he left the school for an NFL return. 

A story from the spring of 2024 claimed that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft encouraged Falcons owner Arthur Blank to pass on hiring Belichick that offseason. Blank instead hired Raheem Morris, but the Falcons dismissed Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot after their 2025 season ended. 

More recently, it was said that two teams had expressed interest in speaking with Belichick and that he "has upper-level personnel still fond of him in Atlanta, New York [and] Cleveland." Regardless of whether or not that's true, it sounds like Belichick is happy where he's at. 

Bill Belichick excited to build "a good program" at North Carolina

"Really appreciate the love and support that we’ve gotten from the community down here from the school, from Chancellor Roberts, the [athletic directors], Bubba Cunningham, Steve Newmark," Belichick told legendary broadcaster Jim Gray. "Working with [North Carolina general manager] Mike Lombardi and our staff here. We’re building a good program, and I’m excited about the direction we’re headed in." 

Perhaps Belichick learned that no NFL team would want to hire a coach who turns 74 years old this spring, not even one considered by many to be the GOAT of his profession. It's worth noting that talk about Belichick interviewing with NFL clubs mostly disappeared well before Monday's "Let's Go!" segment aired.