North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick needs to have success in 2026 after seeing the New England Patriots emerge as an AFC contender.
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick was prescient about what the Los Angeles Chargers were up against Sunday night against the New England Patriots in the wild-card round.
During an appearance on the “Let’s Go!" podcast last week, Belichick predicted the Chargers could get into trouble passing the ball if they fell behind in New England.
"What's the quarterback situation with (quarterback Justin) Herbert? Broken hand and all, that's definitely been a factor. They've had some injuries on the offensive line," Belichick said, via a transcription by ESPN's Mike Reiss. "If the Chargers have to play from behind, and pass block and try to protect and throw the ball 35, 40 times, I think they're going to be in a lot of trouble.
"If they can play from ahead, get control of the game, make it a tight game; they certainly have the defense -- and if they have enough of a running game ... I think they would certainly have a chance."
The Chargers’ only three points came in the first half. When the Patriots went up 16-3 in the fourth quarter, the defense aggressively went after Herbert, finishing the contest with six sacks and creating one forced fumble of the star quarterback.
With the win over Los Angeles, the Patriots won their first playoff game since beating the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl for the 2018 season. Belichick made two more appearances as the head coach in New England, but lost both wild-card contests, the last coming in the 2021 season.
Belichick was booted after the 2023 campaign.
With head coach Mike Vrabel making a quick turnaround with the Patriots in his first season, Belichick is sure to face added pressure in Chapel Hill in 2026. UNC finished with a disappointing 4-8 record in Belichick's first season.
Belichick admitted during the season that he had to go through a learning curve in his first season coaching at the college level in any capacity.
If the Tar Heels fail to look competitive in the ACC next season, Belichick's legacy will face more scrutiny, fair or not, as the Patriots reemerge as a contender in the AFC with former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.