Bill Belichick's surprising move to the University of North Carolina as head coach has sparked speculation about his long-term plans. While Belichick has expressed his commitment to the Tar Heels, his former player, Rob Gronkowski, believes his heart still lies in the NFL.

In a recent interview, Gronkowski shared his doubts about Belichick retiring as a college coach. He suggested that Belichick might eventually pass the UNC program to his son, Steve, who is currently a college defensive coach. Gronkowski praised Steve's abilities and predicted success for Belichick at UNC, but ultimately believes a return to the professional league is inevitable.

Gronkowski's comments stem from his close relationship with Belichick during their shared time with the New England Patriots. The duo won three Super Bowls together, and Gronkowski witnessed Belichick's dedication to the NFL firsthand. After Belichick's departure from the Patriots following the 2023 season, the team struggled significantly, finishing with a 4-13 record. Gronkowski jokingly suggested that he could fix the Patriots' issues with a few swipes of a Bounty paper towel, referencing his recent partnership with the brand alongside Drew Brees.

Gronkowski also expressed his surprise and disappointment at the Patriots' decision to fire head coach Jerod Mayo after just one season. He felt Mayo deserved more time to rebuild the team, given the depleted roster he inherited. Gronkowski acknowledged the pressure to win but emphasized the unfairness of evaluating a rookie head coach in such a challenging situation. Speculation now points to Mike Vrabel, a former Patriots player and current Tennessee Titans coach, as a potential candidate for the Patriots' head coaching position.

Gronkowski's insights offer a unique perspective on Belichick's career trajectory and the current state of the New England Patriots. Only time will tell if his predictions about Belichick's return to the NFL will come to fruition.