Monday’s edition of the ManningCast marked the final time that Bill Belichick will be a fixture on the show as he gets ready for his new gig as the head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels. So fittingly, Peyton and Eli Manning gave their partner a touching farewell on the broadcast.
With two minutes left in the first half, both Peyton and Eli Manning alluded to Belichick’s looming departure from the broadcast next season in hilarious fashion, both putting on a cut-off hoodie like Belichick has worn so many times throughout his coaching career.
“Bill, we’ve loved having you on the ManningCast this year. Wanted you to feel comfortable in your last ManningCast,” said Peyton.
“Yeah, you see we’re sporting the Belichick cut-off hoodie,” said Eli. “These are special Belichick hoodies because they have the quarter-zip. Don’t worry, we’ll be sending a couple of these down to UNC. We’re expecting you to be wearing this Week 1 next season for sure.
This got a laugh out of the typically mild-mannered Belichick, who replied by outlining to Peyton and Eli how much he enjoyed being a regular on the show.
“Thanks guys, you are awesome,” said Belichick. “It was so much fun being on with you this year. I learned a lot. Eli, you don’t look that good in a hoodie. But you’re gonna look great in a gold jacket. I’m sure that’s gonna happen and you deserve it so much to join Peyton in a gold jacket. You guys are fantastic. Peyton, I really enjoyed doing the breakdown show with you this year as well. Learned a lot and it was really a lot of fun. Really appreciate you guys.”
Peyton and Eli Manning go with the quarter-zip hoodies in honor of Bill Belichick for his last ManningCast. 🏈📺🎙️ #NFL pic.twitter.com/TSuWPyoL24
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 14, 2025
The Mannings both continued to discuss Belichick’s time on the show as the end of the second quarter played out, with Peyton in particular outlining that he enjoyed teaming up with Belichick far more than facing off against his Patriots teams as a player.
“It was more fun being your teammate than having to go against you. I know that much for sure,” said Peyton.
“Peyton, you kinda speak for yourself there. I kinda liked playing against Bill sometimes,” joked Eli.
“Bill, we wish you nothing but the best at North Carolina. And thanks for being our ManningCast teammate this past season,” added Peyton.
Peyton Manning to Bill Belichick: “It was more fun being your teammate than having to go against you. I know that much for sure.”
Eli Manning: “Peyt, you kinda speak for yourself there. I kinda liked playing against Bill sometimes.”
And UNC content followed. #NFL #ManningCast https://t.co/73xlAa95Zp pic.twitter.com/wqYRfBrQoI
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 14, 2025
While Belichick won’t be a weekly participant on the ManningCast broadcasts any longer, don’t be shocked to see him as a guest at some point down the road. We’ve seen college coaches like Nick Saban star as ManningCast guests before. And especially considering how much he said he loved being part of it, Belichick may not be entirely done with the show.
Regardless, Belichick’s departure as a full-time fixture will certainly change the dynamic of the ManningCast moving forward, as he certainly brought a different perspective in comparison to the two former quarterbacks.
