Patriots Forced to Send Scouts to New York After Bill Belichick Banned Them From UNC Practices Bill Belichick's new rule left the Patriots with only one option as the NFL scouts expressed their frusta

Unlike Alabama’s Nick Saban, who has always welcomed NFL scouts to practices with open arms, the New England Patriots face a different reality when scouting at UNC — Bill Belichick’s program. This lack of access has forced the Patriots to shift their scouting efforts all the way to New York.

Ryan Fowler reported that several NFL teams, including the Commanders , Falcons , Panthers , Steelers , Vikings , and Colts visited UNC practices during Week 2 of college football. However, Patriots scouts were notably absent, choosing to visit Syracuse in New York instead, after UNC head coach Bill Belichick blocked their access to Tar Heels practices.

In August, the Patriots attempted to send a scout to observe UNC, but the Tar Heels denied permission, shocking the Patriots or