Bill Belichick has made up his mind on Billy Edwards Jr., and he’s not interested in revisiting the conversation every week.
After UNC’s win on Saturday, Belichick was asked once again to evaluate his starting quarterback, and he answered in a way that left little room for debate. Edwards has taken heat throughout the 2026 season, but Belichick made it clear he still trusts him to run the Tar Heels’ offense.
“Billy’s been doing a good job for us,” Belichick said. “Seems like every week I come in here, and you guys want to bench him and talk about the passes he missed. Last week he’s quarterback of the week in the ACC.”
Belichick didn’t stop there.
“Look, he’s playing quarterback. Nobody’s going to bat 1.000 playing that position, but he’s done a good job for us.
He’s been able to move the team, score points, and been consistent. So is there always room for improvement?
Sure, but he’s done a good job for us.”
That kind of public backing matters because Edwards has become a polarizing figure for the UNC fan base. When the offense has stalled, the quarterback spot has naturally become the loudest topic in the room, with some fans wondering whether a change under center might spark the unit.
Belichick, though, sees the situation differently. His comments carry extra weight because Edwards was named ACC Quarterback of the Week after his performance against Miami, where he showed he could make plays against high-level competition.
At the same time, Belichick wasn’t pretending Edwards has been flawless. He acknowledged there are still parts of his game that need work. But there’s a clear line between saying a quarterback can improve and suggesting he should be replaced, and Belichick seemed to think some of the criticism has gone too far.
The bigger picture is hard to miss. Edwards has helped push UNC to within one win of bowl eligibility, a sharp turnaround from last season. With Louisville next on the schedule, Belichick’s message is straightforward: the Tar Heels are staying with No. 9 at quarterback.
In Other News...
UNC Just Lost A Key Path To Cameron Fens Help
The latest legal turn around college basketball eligibility has put Cameron Fens in a precarious spot, and North Carolina is watching closely. The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed and vacated the nationwide injunction in Wisne v. NCAA, a ruling that had been part of the broader fight over fifth-year players seeking another season of eligibility.
For Fens, the impact is immediate because he is still tied up in a separate Tennessee case, where the state Court of Appeals stayed his injunction and left him ineligible for now. His path back onto the court now hinges entirely on how that Tennessee lawsuit plays out, leaving UNC with one fewer avenue for help and another unresolved eligibility question hanging over the roster. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Just Got A Real Shot At A Five-Star Guard
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Pettigrew is currently ranked No. 9 overall in the Class of 2028, which already makes him one of the most coveted guards in the country. There is also growing speculation that he could reclassify into an earlier class, a possibility that would only heighten the urgency around his recruitment, even if no decision has been confirmed yet. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Delivered The Response Fans Needed After Early Criticism
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Maximo Adams added a double-double as UNC controlled the glass and showed the depth that had been missing a game earlier. It was the sort of response that does not erase early questions, but it does give the Tar Heels a much better baseline to build from as the schedule starts to tighten. [Read more 🡒]