Bill Belichick’s exit from the New England Patriots must be a story from the past, but his long-running tension took things south. According to multiple reports, the eight-time Super Bowl champion has barred Patriots scouts from attending North Carolina practices, with the message delivered by his trusted confidant, GM Mike Lombardi.
A recent report by NFL insider Ari Meirov on X reported the matter, writing,
“Bill Belichick has banned #Patriots scouts from attending UNC practices to scout their players, a @JohnMiddlekauff reported on his show. NFL scouts in general have faced hurdles scouting UNC players so far under Belichick’s tenure at North Carolina.“
Bill Belichick has banned #Patriots scouts from attending UNC practices to scout their players, as @JohnMiddlekauff reported on his show.
NFL scouts in general have faced hurdles scouting UNC players so far under Belichick’s tenure at North Carolina. pic.twitter.com/2Ea6KJq0iN
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 4, 2025
The decision immediately raised eyebrows across the football fraternity, and many poked fun at shutting scouts out of Chapel Hill, which hurts the very athletes he’s supposed to be showcasing.
One fan summed it up bluntly: “Next level petty 😂😂.”
Others questioned after their massive debut loss, writing, “After last game, what scouts are going to UNC?” one person joked.
Another suggested the feud with Patriots owner Robert Kraft might be driving the move, “Didn’t Kraft tell people not to hire Bill? Guess the beef is real.”
Some couldn’t resist poking fun at the Tar Heels themselves, writing, “I don’t think they want to scout players anyways after that game 😭.”
However, a few expressed genuine confusion, with one fan admitting, “This don’t make sense,” and another adding, “Something ain’t right here… 🤔.”
If the reports are accurate, Belichick may be putting old grudges above future opportunities, making this a risky stance for a coach still trying to shape the final act of his storied career.
Why QB Max Johnson Shows Hope For Bill Belichick’s UNC Amid Week 1 Loss
Bill Belichick’s debut as North Carolina’s head coach was anything but smooth. The Tar Heels collapsed 48–14 against TCU in Chapel Hill, with just 222 yards of offense while surrendering 542 to the week one opponents. Belichick himself admitted afterwards that his team was “outcoached and outplayed,” a blunt assessment of a night where UNC’s rushing attack averaged only 1.8 yards per carry and the passing game stalled for long stretches.
However, even in the blowout, one storyline emerged that offered a glimmer of optimism: the return of quarterback Max Johnson. The senior, seeing his first game action since suffering a brutal leg injury in last year’s opener against Minnesota, stepped in after starter Gio Lopez exited with a back injury.
Johnson immediately injected life into the offense, completing eight of nine passes with 81 yards on his opening drive. He also delivered a two-yard touchdown strike to his younger brother, tight end Jake Johnson, amid high pressure. Moreover, it was Max’s first touchdown pass since November 2023, and Johnson’s first scoring grab in a Tar Heels uniform.
The brother-to-brother connection under the bright lights stood in stark contrast to the rest of UNC’s offensive struggles under starter Gio Lopez and his costly mistakes.
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