New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel offered a firm response to Bill Belichick’s explanation for banning his team’s scouts from North Carolina’s facilities.
Belichick claimed that he instituted the ban because he is “not welcome” at the Patriots’ facilities, and was simply giving the team’s employees the same treatment. Vrabel, who played for Belichick, was not on board with that logic. In an appearance on WEEI Monday, Vrabel pointed out that Belichick had been welcomed back for Tom Brady’s jersey retirement ceremony last June.
“Nothing surprises me,” Vrabel said when asked about the controversy. “Bill came back for, to the best of my knowledge, Tom’s ceremony. I guess he’s welcome back based on the fact that he was there. I just go by that. Since his departure as head coach here, he’s been back, and I’ll leave it at that.”
#Patriots HC Mike Vrabel on Bill Belichick banning Patriots scouts because he isn’t welcome at the facility:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 8, 2025
Vrabel noted Belichick was at Tom Brady’s jersey retirement ceremony last year — “so I guess he’s welcome back based on the fact that he was there.”
(via @Patriots YT) https://t.co/npbeKciadB pic.twitter.com/3PuUonEK00
In other words, Vrabel is not buying Belichick’s reasoning. The Patriots coach had previously dismissed questions about the situation, though that was before Belichick offered up his public explanation.
Vrabel is correct that Belichick attended Brady’s ceremony. The former Patriots coach received a very warm reception from the crowd at Gillette Stadium, and even spoke during the event. He has not returned since, but it is not clear that he has had any cause to be.
Ultimately, Belichick’s decision likely harms North Carolina’s players more than anyone else. Vrabel clearly has no problem with his former coach, though Belichick’s issues seem to be with ownership more than anything else.
