Veteran insider makes a scathing remark on Bill Belichick's North Carolina future: "He'll stay a year"

In an offseason-defining move, the North Carolina Tar Heels football program elected to move on from Mack Brown in favor of eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick. Belichick was linked to the UNC head coaching job for several weeks, but the reports were widely considered to be speculation.

While it will be odd to see the former New England Patriots head coach on the Tar Heels' sideline, some are doubting Belichick's future in Chapel Hill, arguing this job is nothing more than a way to thrust him back into the NFL coaching spotlight.

On Friday afternoon, veteran insider Colin Cowherd shared his doubts regarding a long-term stay from the head coach.

"I think (Bill Belichick's) going to stay one year at Carolina, get exhausted by tedium which is known as college athletics, and go back to the NFL because I do think next year he'll get a job offer."

Cowherd went on to cite an interesting stipulation from Belichick's contract, which states his contractual buyout value will decrease from $10 million to $1 million after June 2, 2025.

Bill Belichick offers long-term assurance during introductory press conference

On Thursday afternoon, North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham introduced Bill Belichick as the football team's next head coach. The coach fielded questions and was asked about his long-term plans in Chapel Hill.

He called the North Carolina head coaching job a "dream come true" and told reporters he wasn't looking to leave any time soon.

"I didn't come here to leave," Belichick responded bluntly.

The details of his contract drew questions from fans. Belichick and North Carolina agreed to a five-year, $50 million deal, with the final two years of the deal made voidable. There is no doubt Belichick is eyeing a return to the NFL, as the head coach sits just 26 wins away from breaking Don Shula's all-time coaching wins record.

Prior to landing the UNC job, Belichick made an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," offering insight as to how he would run his college program.

"If I was in a college program, (it) would be a pipeline to the NFL for the players that had the ability to play in the NFL. It would be a professional program. Training, nutrition, scheme, coaching and techniques that would transfer to the NFL."

This interview potentially hinted at Belichick's interest in the North Carolina head coaching job weeks before inking a deal with the program.

Belichick will enter the 2025 season at 73 years old, leaving many to believe a return to the NFL is imminent despite the head coach's reassurances.