A new poll of North Carolina voters showed that former Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, would be tied with a generic Republican in the state's 2026 Senate race.

The Tar Heels signed Belichick, 73, to a five-year deal through the 2029 season to replace Mack Brown. He will earn $10 million a year, plus up to $3.5 million in performance incentives. The first three years of the contract are guaranteed.