Head Coach Bill Belichick is going with Billy Edwards Jr. as his primary signal caller, reports Pete Thamel of ESPN. Edwards, a well-traveled transfer most recently with the Wisconsin Badgers, beat out Texas A&M transfer Miles O'Neill. He was the Badgers' starter last year before he sprained his left knee in the first game of the season and ultimately didn't play again beyond two drives a few weeks later.
Now, though, he'll get another chance in his sixth season of college football, which also includes stops at Maryland and Wake Forest. "Edwards had his best season at Maryland in 2024, completing 65 percent of his passes for 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions for a 4-8 team," detailed Manny Navarro of The Athletic. "He averaged 261.9 passing yards per game (second in the Big Ten to Dillon Gabriel) and had the best performance of his career in a 29-28 win over USC, completing 39 of 50 passes for 373 yards and accounting for three touchdowns." O'Neill, while younger, did bring to the table a prior relationship with Belichick's offensive coordinator, Bobby Petrino.
"O’Neill appeared in eight games in two seasons at Texas A&M and completed 12 of 20 attempts for 171 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions," Navarro wrote. In addition to his greater experience, Edwards also brings a physical presence to the quarterback position. As Navarro detailed, it of course relies on him being "truly healthy," but he has a track record of being able to move the ball on the ground as well as through the air.
"The 6-foot-3, 228-pound Virginia native has scored 13 career rushing touchdowns and was frequently used as Maryland’s short-yardage quarterback before becoming the full-time starter," Navarro wrote. "He scored seven rushing touchdowns in 2023, including three 1-yard scores against Michigan." All of that said, Edwards will likely be on a short leash because Belichick needs positive results. It's only his second season, but he drastically underperformed expectations with a 4-8 record last year.
NFL legend or not, Belichick knows his reputation will take a hit if he can't turn things around in Chapel Hill. As a result, O'Neill might find himself with a chance later this season. "If Edwards is healthy and resembles the quarterback who threw for nearly 2,900 yards at Maryland in 2024, North Carolina could be substantially better on offense," Navarro wrote.
"If the knee limits his mobility or the Tar Heels struggle against TCU, O’Neill could get an opportunity to run the show."
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