Bill Belichick finally signed his UNC contract — with the buyout unchanged

People in Chapel Hill who were nervous about Bill Belichick quitting the NFL before he coached a single game have less reason to worry.

Belichick has finally taken the one public act that makes his job official — he’s done it He signed his contract.

But the acquisition remains. He could leave before June 1 for $10 million. After June 1, it drops to $1 million.

If he really wanted to make a clear commitment, this could have been easily modified. What about not getting a buyout until after the 2025 season? How about $10 million then?

Actions always speak louder than words. Signing a contract sends a message. But the content of the letter is that he can still go to the NFL, as long as someone writes a $10 million check to the Tar Heels.

None of that means he will. But the door remains open. The fact that no NFL team has shown interest in him is the biggest hurdle.

The dynamics changed on Wednesday, when the Jaguars fired GM Trent Baalke. There’s one place where Belichick could be given the keys to the entire operation.

It could still happen, in theory. As long as the guy who owns a $360 million yacht would pay 1/36 of that for it, if he wanted it.