Former NFL MVP Cam Newton isn’t holding back when it comes to his former head coach Bill Belichick.
The 73-year-old Belichick made major waves when he accepted the head coaching job at UNC – his first venture into college football after a legendary NFL career, primarily with the New England Patriots.
But instead of dominating headlines for football reasons, the Tar Heels have been caught in the national spotlight for Belichick’s relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson.
For Newton, who spent a season under Belichick in New England, the situation reeks of contradiction.
“I find it extremely interesting to look at this situation for a person who always led with this in the locker room, in his personal life, just with anything. While he has been at the helm as a head coach, he’s always led with this: ‘Do not be a distraction,’ Newton said on his podcast.
“Coach Belichick has always stood on the principle of not being a distraction. That was to the coaches who were on his coaching staff. That was to the players playing for him, that was to everybody, but we find ourselves in this situation.”
Belichick’s relationship with Hudson has raised eyebrows not only for its optics, but for the way it appears to conflict with his long-standing mantra of avoiding unnecessary distractions.
Interestingly, Newton is not the only former Patriot questioning Belichick’s current behavior.
Julian Edelman, who played his entire career under Belichick, echoed the sentiment during an appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd.
“The No. 1 thing we used to talk about, all the time, in New England was distractions,” Edelman said. “Let’s not make distractions. The game is already as hard as it is to prepare for, to play, to coach.
“And, you know, regardless of what her role is – yeah, I thought he got an unfair public opinion on the whole thing because that happens all the time… but now that it’s gained and snowballed to what it’s become right now where we’re talking about it three weeks later. It’s becoming a distraction.
“That’s what we all think right now. This is becoming a distraction. We gotta practice what we preach here.”
The reoccurring theme mentioned by Newton, Edelman, and all former Patriots who have spoken on the issue is that the one thing Belichick tried to eliminate during his time in Foxborough was distractions.
But now it seems like every single day we’re getting a new Belichick-Hudson nugget that only adds (negatively) to the story.
The controversy intensified after a CBS Mornings interview with Belichick turned awkward when Hudson abruptly cut off a question about how the two met, responding, “We’re not talking about this.”
According to reports, Hudson stormed out of the interview room and delayed production for 30 minutes.
Belichick later issued a rare public statement, calling reports that Hudson controlled the interview a “false narrative” and criticizing CBS for venturing beyond the agreed-upon scope of promoting his book.
CBS responded, asserting that Belichick and his team had agreed to a “wide-ranging interview” without restrictions.
The Tar Heels, who parted ways with longtime head coach Mack Brown following several middling seasons, are entering a new era with a manageable 2025 schedule.
After opening against TCU, North Carolina avoids conference contenders like Miami and SMU, though a critical matchup with Clemson awaits in October.
While UNC’s revamped roster and fresh leadership give hope for contention in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format, off-field storylines continue to cloud the program’s momentum.
Newton and Edelman’s remarks highlight a growing skepticism over whether Belichick can maintain his trademark discipline and focus – especially now that he’s the story, not just the strategist.
What are your thoughts on the never-ending drama surrounding Belichick’s relationship with Hudson???
