At least according to Mike Vrabel, North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick is more than welcome at the New England Patriots practice facility.
The former longtime Patriots coach revealed on Saturday that he had banned Patriots scouts from Tar Heels practices this season for a very simple reason.
Vrabel, now in his first season as the Patriots head coach, refuted Belichicks claim during his weekly radio appearance with WEEI on Monday. To the best of my knowledge, Vrabel said, Belichick is absolutely welcome at the Patriots facility.
Vrabel also referenced Tom Bradys Hall of Fame ceremony at Gillette Stadium in 2024, when Belichick received a standing ovation from fans and spoke.
While its certainly possible there are conversations or decisions going on above Vrabels head when it comes to Belichick who spent 24 years leading the Patriots and won six Super Bowls there alongside Tom Brady it sounds like Belichicks belief that hes not welcome in New England is just that. According to ESPNs Mike Reiss, its less about his physical presence at the teams facility, rather more about being treated with respect.
Belichick and the Patriots split after the 2023 season, and its clear things have been strained between him and owner Robert Kraft since. Kraft did say last week that he plans to put up a Belichick statue outside of Gillette Stadium after his career is done, and that this was always my intention.
Belichick is off to a 1-1 start at North Carolina after the Tar Heels found themselves on the wrong side of a wild blowout to TCU in their home opener earlier this month. Theyll host Richmond next on Saturday. Similarly, Vrabel is in his first season leading the Patriots after he took over for Jerod Mayo. The Patriots fell to Pete Carroll and the Las Vegas Raiders in their season opener on Sunday.