Getting a chance to see how Bill Belichick functions as a college coach behind the scenes isn’t in the cards any longer. The deal between the University of North Carolina to appear in Hard Knocks: Offseason has reportedly fallen through.
Is anyone else thinking shenanigans?
“NFL Films had discussions with Coach Belichick and UNC about appearing on Hard Knocks this offseason but couldn’t reach an agreement,” a spokesperson for NFL Media told CBS Sports on Tuesday.
Reports surfaced last week that UNC would be part of the riveting docuseries after the franchise was unable to find interest from an NFL team.
Why? Because the Giants, who were featured last season, let Saquan Barkley leave the team, and the front office looked like dolts for letting it happen.
Belichick and the Tarheels were ready to fill the void. Until now.
Bill Belichick and UNC will no longer be featured on Hard Knocks after the deal fell through, per @CBSSports. pic.twitter.com/uPDlGrKWis
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 4, 2025
NFL Owners Were Upset About Bill Belichick And ‘Hard Knocks’
The whole thing kinda sucks. Getting a chance to see Bill Belichick on Hard Knocks, delivering his recruitment pitch to parents of entitled high school athletes, all while his 24-year-old girlfriend is in tow, would have been entertainment heaven.
And now, nothing.
Don’t think we didn’t notice that the deal suddenly ‘fell through’ after NFL owners whined about it.
The collapse almost certainly came partly because several owners were unhappy with Belichick getting an NFL Films spotlight, especially since no pro teams opted for the offseason edition.
“We’re told that some owners aren’t thrilled with the decision to feature Belichick on an NFL-owned platform,” Pro Football Talk (PFT) reported.
Belichick, a legendary NFL figure with almost as many Super Bowl titles as fingers, sought the exposure to boost UNC’s recruiting in his first college coaching stint. Owners’ frustration, however, reflects lingering tensions from his Patriots tenure.
RELATED: Report: NFL Owners Ticked Off That Bill Belichick Seized The ‘Hard Knocks’ Opportunity
Listen All Y’all, It’s A Sabotage
While the disgruntled NFL owners may have won this battle with Hard Knocks, Bill Belichick might yet win the war. Apparently, a documentary-style production is still in the works.
“Sources told CBS Sports there is still a desire within the UNC football program to do some sort of all-access, behind-the-scenes series with some media group,” the outlet reports.
North Carolina wanted the publicity. Coach Belichick, who had just signed a five-year deal with the university, also did. The school would like to capitalize on his likely one year there while the future HOF coach is using it to audition for another job in the NFL.
For now, though, that exposure won’t be through Hard Knocks.
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