It’s hard to cook up a juicier NFL story than Tom Brady working as part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, leading a hiring process for the franchise’s next head coach while Bill Belichick sits within arm’s reach. But while it is fun to imagine the men who built the New England Patriots dynasty reuniting in Sin City, a close confidante of Belichick’s poured cold water on the story just as soon as it got out.
In an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show days after the Raiders fired Antonio Pierce, North Carolina football general manager Mike Lombardi labeled the report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero linking Belichick to Las Vegas “a complete falsehood” — while also appearing to confirm the main thrust of Pelissero’s report.
“Guys that do the insider stuff for the NFL, they’ve gotta put stories out there,” Lombardi explained. “That one was a complete falsehood. Coach Belichick, when that story came out, was recruiting in South Jersey.”
“Bill Belichick is completely committed to North Carolina..
That story about him going to the NFL was a complete falsehood and that story had no legs”@mlombardiNFL #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/XRA3pzw5FY
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 9, 2025
Lombardi even accused Pelissero of treating NFL gossip as hard news to generate interest in his reporting.
“That story just had no legs,” Lombardi said. “I think what often happens in rumor-ing, and I know this from doing it in the league, is people try to make a connection. A to B equals C. Well, that’s not always the case. Yes, Tom Brady is being involved with interviews. 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 … but don’t assume that because he’s doing that, he wants Bill Belichick. Bill Belichick committed to North Carolina … there’s been no conversation about anything.”
Lombardi went on to praise the university and reiterate his and Belichick’s mindsets. They are out on the NFL and believe they can set up a pro prospect factory in Durham.
And they certainly aren’t going to back off those plans before their first season begins.
However, while Lombardi tried to put out that fire expertly, he ignored the substance of Pelissero’s initial report. All Pelissero initially posted was that NFL teams are inquiring about Belichick. To the insider’s credit, he never claimed Belichick was interested or would be leaving the Tar Heels.
Many believe Belichick could explore a move back to the NFL eventually, given the flexible structure of his contract at North Carolina, but Pelissero did not put that forth.
Instead of talking about Belichick taking the Raiders job, it sounds as if Brady was asking his former head coach for advice.
