https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/breaking-news/article/mike-vrabel-believes-bill-belichick-is-welcome-at-patriots-facility-despite-comments-hes-been-back-193207823.html
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 Belichick’s 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.
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Vrabel also referenced Tom Brady’s Hall of Fame ceremony at Gillette Stadium in 2024, when Belichick received a standing ovation from fans and spoke.
“Bill came back for, to the best of my knowledge, Tom’s ceremony,” Vrabel said, via ESPN. “So I guess he’s welcomed back based on the fact he was there.
“I’ll just go by that. Since his departure as the head coach, he’s been back. I’ll leave it at that.”
While it’s certainly possible there are conversations or decisions going on above Vrabel’s 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 Belichick’s belief that he’s not welcome in New England is just that. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, it’s “less about his physical presence” at the team’s facility, rather more about “being treated with respect.”
Belichick and the Patriots split after the 2023 season, and it’s 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.”
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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. They’ll 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.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/breaking-news/article/mike-vrabel-believes-bill-belichick-is-welcome-at-patriots-facility-despite-comments-hes-been-back-193207823.html
