Michael Lombardi is picking up right where he left off.
The longtime NFL executive and commentator was let go by North Carolina earlier this month after about a year as the general manager of its football program under Bill Belichick. Lombardi’s exit was shrouded in controversy, as he was reportedly under investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use around the program. Soon after, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, the legendary head coach’s son, also left UNC.
But Lombardi has wasted no time getting back in the mix.
On Saturday, the 67-year-old announced the launch of his own Substack, called Football Done Right. Lombardi promised multiple posts per week, along with exclusive team and quarterback grades.
I started a Substack. Football Done Right is where my NFL writing lives now: the Tuesday review, the Friday Lombardi Look Ahead, QB and power ratings, and deep dives like this one on why Dan Campbell has never fixed the Lions defense. Free and paid tiers.https://t.co/oGzYcHXWA0
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardinfl) September 19, 2026
In a comment below his Instagram post announcing the news, Lombardi also said he plans to return to his podcast, The GM Shuffle. Lombardi had hosted the show in some form for nearly a decade before taking the UNC GM position last year. Now licensed by DraftKings, the podcast is hosted by another former NFL GM, Marty Hurney.
As a media figure, Lombardi was perhaps most prominent for his regular appearances with Bill Simmons and Pat McAfee. Within the football industry, Lombardi doesn’t seem well liked.
Recently, longtime college football insider Bruce Feldman told Awful Announcing, “I cannot remember ever writing or talking about anyone that people were so strongly kind of disgusted by.”
Though Lombardi and his representatives dispute the allegations unearthed by WRAL about his poor oversight of the program, the situation couldn’t have helped his standing. Coming off being the highest-paid GM in the country, you have to wonder why Lombardi won’t just fade quietly from the public spotlight.
About Brendon Kleen
Brendon is an Editorial Lead at Awful Announcing overseeing digital content and special projects. He lives in Phoenix and has covered sports media for Awful Announcing since 2023.