North Carolina’s quarterback battle is still wide open, and the Tar Heels are treating it like the serious decision it is.
Billy Edwards Jr., Miles O'Neill, Travis Burgess and Au'Tori Newkirk have all been in the mix for the Week 1 job, and with training camp now underway, the coaching staff is taking its time before naming a starter. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino said last week that the outside view of the timeline is different from what happens inside the building, and he made it clear that patience is part of the process. Head coach Bill Belichick echoed that point when he discussed when the team will settle on a starter.
That careful approach makes sense, especially with Belichick coaching for his job in 2026. This is not the kind of position battle that gets rushed.
Petrino also offered a look at what each quarterback brings. Edwards Jr., the Wisconsin transfer, drew praise for his experience and veteran leadership. O'Neill, the former Texas A&M quarterback, has impressed with his arm strength and his ability to make any throw on the field, though Petrino said his accuracy still needs to become more consistent.
Newkirk is the only returning player in the group, and his path is built around how well he can learn and absorb the offense. He still looks like a long shot compared with the others, but he remains in the conversation.
Burgess may be the most gifted passer on the roster, but he enters as a true freshman and injuries in the spring kept him from getting deep into the offense. Even so, Petrino said Burgess has stood out with his grasp of the scheme and the way he communicates in the huddle. That combination of feel and natural talent is enough to keep the buzz around him alive.
For North Carolina, the expectation is that the room backs whoever wins the job. Edwards Jr. probably enters camp with the sense that he should be the guy, given that he’s a returning senior and was a priority addition for the Tar Heels in the offseason.
But that does not make anything automatic. The only standard that matters is choosing the quarterback who gives North Carolina the best chance to win.
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