As his team prepares for the College Football Playoff National Championship, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman They are said to be a hot commodity in the NFL job market.
Near the top of the list of interested parties are the Chicago Bears, according to NFL Network Tom Pelissero.
“The Bears have conducted extensive research for several months on Marcus Freeman,” Pelissero said Posted on Sunday, January 12th. “He's only 39. It wouldn't be a shock if at some point he at least considers going to the NFL.
Chicago fired the head coach Eberflus died In November 2024 after a 4-8 start to the season. Interim coach Thomas Brown He finished the season with the Bears, who finished the year 5-12. Brown, the team's former offensive coordinator, will not return as head coach.
“Freeman is in the midst of a magical run with the Fighting Irish to a national championship,” Pelissero continued. “Clearly he is unlikely to entertain the NFL's overtures ahead of that game.”
Notre Dame faces Ohio State University in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 20 from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, in an effort to win the school's first national title since 1988.
during Appearance on ESPN The Pat McAfee Show Monday, January 13, NFL Insider Adam Shifter “I heard Marcus Freeman is happy at Notre Dame,” he said.
Just weeks ago, ESPN Heather Dinich I mentioned That Freeman had signed a “long-term contract extension, believed to be a four-year extension, which would mean he would be locked in for a further six years”. The financial details of the contract were not officially revealed.
He recently signed this deal. I don't know if this is leverage or not. I have no idea. Shifter (58 years old) added, “I have no direct information beyond that.”
Freeman confirmed that he had signed a new contract with Notre Dame in a statement issued in December 2024.
Courtesy of Marcus Freeman/Instagram Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman has a great team off the field, too. Freeman, 38, who became Notre Dame's head football coach in December 2021, married his wife, Joanna Freeman, in 2010. The couple met during Marcus's time at Ohio State University, where Marcus was[…]
“The investment they continue to make into our program is invaluable to our student-athletes and staff,” Freeman said. “This commitment goes beyond me, as they are committed to ensuring all aspects of our program are competitive within the top level of college football.”
The Bears have already formally completed multiple interviews with potential head coaches to fill their vacancy, including the former Seattle Seahawks head coach. Pete CarrollDetroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben JohnsonDetroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
The team has an interview scheduled with the former Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy On Wednesday, December 15th.
For now, Freeman remains focused on Notre Dame's quest for a national title. The College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes airs Monday, January 20 at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.
