Cowboys GM Jerry Jones makes feelings known on ex-Patriots HC Bill Belichick's links with UNC job

It's Week 15 and we have three head coach role openings in the NFL - the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears. We could very well see that number blow up to between five and eight by the time Week 18 rolls around but one big name who probably won't be around to take interviews this summer is former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

Belichick has been strongly linked with the head coach role at the University of North Carolina. He addressed those rumors on Monday during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show."

Belichick was also linked with the Dallas Cowboys job if the franchise were to part ways with Mike McCarthy. Franchise owner Jerry Jones was made aware of Belichick's discussions for the UNC role and had this to say on 105.3 The Fan:

"I don't know that I've seen a coach available, if you will, with his stature. He's got a lot of gas left in his tank. A lot. He's on the game. He's savvy. He knows the personnel all over the league. There's no learning curve there.

"It doesn't surprise me that everything there is out here that has a coach concept associated with that he's not being considered. Bill Belichick could run a major company very effectively. He just has that leadership ability, as well as in this case, no one knows more football or how to execute it and use that to win a ball game than Bill Belichick."

Who could Cowboys tap to replace Mike McCarthy in 2025?

The Cowboys suffered their eighth loss of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. Questions were again raised over the future of head coach Mike McCarthy but Jerry Jones chose to defend him, telling reporters:

"Let me just say this quickly. Mike is an outstanding coach. He has an outstanding record. He's got great experience. A lot of what he's about, some of the benefits that we're having out there, we're gaining from the type coach that he is.

"There's an old adage, when you start thinking about any coaches, you better give it a good look, because he's one of the most outstanding. So again, I've spoken to that about any consideration I'm having, but this was a hard one for him tonight. I'm sure."

As things stand, if Bill Belichick is out of the picture, the only veteran option on the market would be former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. However, he has also been strongly linked with the Jets job alongside Rex Ryan, so time may be ticking if the Cowboys plan on tapping up Belichick's former disciple.