The New England Patriots have broken their silence following Bill Belichick’s ban on their scouts from visiting North Carolina’s football program. And there wasn't much of a confrontational tone.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the situation during his weekly appearance on WEEI in Boston. He acknowledged the unusual nature of Belichick’s decision, but downplayed it all. Vrabel said "nothing surprises" him and to the "best of his knowledge" Belichick remains welcome in Foxborough. He citied the coach’s attendance at Tom Brady’s Hall of Fame induction last June. “He’s been back since leaving as our head coach,” Vrabel said. “I’ll just go by that.”
But Belichick tells a different account of the relationship with his former team. The Tar Heels coach confirmed after Saturday's win over Charlotte that he's at odds with the Patriots. “It’s obvious I’m not welcome at their facility, so they’re not welcome at ours,” he said.
Obviously, Vrabel’s attempt to steady the narrative shows New England won’t escalate a tension-filled dynamic that began when Belichick announced a ban on Patriots scouts at UNC. The move came on the heels of a rough week in Chapel Hill, where Belichick was widely criticized after a blowout loss to TCU. Reports that New England personnel had been turned away added fuel to a news cycle already unfavorable for the Hall of Fame-bound coach.
Belichick’s estrangement from New England traces back to his departure in January 2024. His relationship with owner Robert Kraft went south in the aftermath. Belichick took issue with Kraft labeling his hiring a “big risk,” countering that he had taken the gamble by joining New England in 2000. More recently, he said he's enjoying North Carolina because “there’s no owner, there’s no owner’s son.”
Kraft has maintained that Belichick’s two-decade run in New England deserves enduring recognition. He told WBZ-TV that a statue honoring Belichick will one day stand beside Brady’s outside Gillette Stadium. The statement reflects the organization’s long-term views and not disagreements.
For now, the Patriots are holding back a bit. Vrabel’s words suggest the franchise is ready to let this be, unless something further happens with Belichick.
In the meantime, "Big Bill" and North Carolina is coming off his first college on Saturday and looks to build momentum. The Tar Heels welcome Richmond on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
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