Ex-NFL GM shoots down Bill Belichick NFL return rumors amid Tom Brady's reported link with former coach

Former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi had a clear response to any rumor about Bill Belichick leaving the University of North Carolina to make a return to the league. In recent hours, a report said that Tom Brady reached out to his former coach to lure him away from Chapel Hill and land him in Las Vegas as the Raiders' new head coach.

On Thursday's edition of The Pat McAfee Show, Lombardi rejected the notion that Belichick could leave UNC hanging to take the Raiders job in a matter of weeks. When asked about Belichick's commitment to the college program, Lombardi said:

"Completely committed, 1,000-percent committed."

He added that when the report came out, Belichick was recruiting in New Jersey, and today, he watched another game.

"Yes, Tom Brady is being involved with interviews," Lombardi said. "Yes, Tom Brady is doing research on head coaching candidates. Yes, Tom Brady is calling people up for advice and counsel because that’s why he’s so great at what he does because he’s listening for advice.

“But don’t assume that just because he’s doing that he wants Bill Belichick. Bill Belichick is committed to North Carolina. He committed it to me, he committed it to the university. There has been no conversation about anything.”

The Raiders moved on from Antonio Pierce after a tumultuous season and now are in the market. They also fired their general manager to try to give the team yet another fresh start.

Michael Lombardi explains why Bill Belichick is focused on college football

Bill Belichick's focus has switched from the NFL to college football. The eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach surprised plenty of people when he took the UNC job, but Michael Lombardi explained that college football offers more options to teams to build competitive teams compared to the NFL.

Lombardi said that the NFL only has free agency and the draft as an opportunity for franchises to build their roster. In college football, the options are "unlimited."

When a player like Rob Gronkowski said this process could push Belichick away from college football, Lombardi believes that's exactly why the veteran coach would feel better coaching college kids instead of professional athletes.