Julian Edelman gives his opinion on Bill Belichick and his 24-year-old girlfriend: “It’s becoming a distraction”

At 73 years old, Bill Belichick is starting his first season as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels soon with opening day set for Labor Day against TCU, but he’s been in the media more for his young girlfriend (nearly 50 years his junior) than anything else.

Recently, the former New England Patriots coach was giving an interview on “CBS News Sunday Morning” to speak about his new book “The Art of Winning: Lessons From My Life in Football”. But when the interviewer, Tony Dokoupil, asked about his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudsonwho was sitting in the room with them, she interrupted the interview and shot down the question, saying, “We’re not talking about that.”

(Around the 6:07 mark in the video below)

Former Pats players express concern about Belichick’s relationship

Former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman recently spoke on “The Herd”, calling Belichick’s relationship with Hudson “a distraction”.

“The number one thing we used to talk about all the time in New England was distractions,” Edelman said. “(Belichick) got an unfair public opinion on the whole thing, because that happens all the time. Someone who represents you is going to jump in. But it’s snowballed. It’s becoming a distraction. I’m sure that’s what we all think right now, this is becoming a distraction. We have to practice what we preach here.”

In addition to the interview debacle, Hudson also sparked controversy when she leaked emails revealing her efforts to influence how Belichick and his son, Steve, are portrayed publicly. She also leaked an email revealing Belichick’ss concern with how his book was being portrayed in the media. Hudson has no official role at UNC, but appears to be playing a behind-the-scenes PR role.

If you refuse to answer what should be pretty basic questions, it’s an immediate red flag to people that you’re hiding something. It’s just that simple. https://t.co/vINcEkj3af

– Shehan Jeyarajah (@Shehanjeyarajah) April 29, 2025

“We’re talking about this weeks later,” Edelman went on. “It’s on ABC, it’s on this, it’s on that. I mean, it’s getting to a point where we have to start worrying about the ACC. We have to start worrying about Dabo Swinney. We shouldn’t be talking about our girlfriend, and that’s how coach would say it to us. That’s the truth when it comes to running a football organization. Let’s make the main thing the main thing.”

Edelman isn’t the only former protegee of Belichick’s to voice his concern. Former Pats linebacker Ted Johnson went as far as to say that the Tar Heels “should consider firing” Belichick.

“What you’ve seen so far, the behaviors with Jordon. That dynamic, her being on the football field, her just kind of embarrassing Bill,” Johnson said. “I think the Tar Heels should consider firing Bill Belichick. … But I look at Bill Belichick, and I wonder if he’s fit to coach an NFL team, let alone fit to coach a college team. I put more onus on the overall character of a college coach than I do a pro coach. I’m worried that Bill Belichick just isn’t fit to coach college kids, and UNC should consider cutting ties with Bill Belichick.”