One Aspect Tar Heel Football Fans Must Have Patience With

North Carolina football is just over a week away from the start of its regular season against the TCU Horned Frogs in college football's kickoff matchup. For the most part, the roster is set, and head coach Bill Belichick enters his second season coaching the Tar Heels, looking to turn things around despite controversy and drama lingering in the background.

The Tar Heels may not be a nine-win program yet, but they are a better group than a season ago, with additions to the offense and defense, and they return several starters who could turn the latter unit into one of the 25 best in the country.

Belichick UN — Jul 17, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick with the media during interviews at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Bill Belichick Faces Immense Pressure With Team's Most Important Position

Belichick is in the hot seat as North Carolina takes the trip from Chapel Hill to Dublin, Ireland, next week. One of the biggest concerns is the quarterback situation, despite the Tar Heels naming Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards Jr. as the starter. However, that will not quell the long-term concerns at the position, especially as the debate rolls into the regular season.

Given that we haven't seen Edwards play a full season in nearly two years, I don't believe this is the time to overreact at quarterback, no matter how much we critique the room and share our concerns. Sometimes, patience is truly a virtue.

Why Tar Heels Fans Must Remain Patient With Billy Edwards Jr.

Nov 29, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks interim head coach Bobby Petrino argues a call during the second quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Tar Heels, led by Belichick, offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, and quarterbacks coach Matt Lombardi, have placed their trust in Edwards to lead this offense, which has some impressive talent at the skill positions. This is expected to be a run-first offense that could transform UNC from a poor scoring offense to a top-60 group fairly quickly.

All Edwards has to do is perform as a game manager for the offense, operate within its confines, and get the ball to the best playmakers, such as wide receiver Jordan Shipp or Lehigh transfer Mason Humphrey.

Edwards UN — UNC football quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) could be the Tar Heels' starting quarterback in the 2026 season. Edwards was still wearing a brace on his left knee during the Tar Heels' spring practices. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

We won't know how Edwards will perform until he steps onto the field and takes his first snaps in almost a full calendar year. How he plays will determine if an overreaction is necessary, regardless of whether the Tar Heels win or lose. However, Edwards did demonstrate at Maryland that he could be an effective distributor of the ball and get passes to where they need to be promptly.

I may not be a fan of Edwards being the starter, but I can acknowledge that there needs to be some benefit of the doubt heading into Week 0 against the Horned Frogs. Again, patience is needed for at least a game or two as the Tar Heels evaluate the quarterback position on a seemingly week-to-week basis.

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