As his team prepares for a national championship in the College Football Playoff, Notre Dame’s head coach Marcus Freeman is reportedly a hot commodity in the NFL job market.
Near the top of the interest list are the Chicago Bears, according to the NFL Network Tom Pelissero.
“The Bears have been doing extensive research on Marcus Freeman for months,” Pelissero he reported on Sunday, January 12. “He is only 39 years old. It wouldn’t be a shock if he at least considers going to the NFL at some point.”
Chicago fired the head coach Matt Eberflus in November 2024 after starting the season 4-8. Interim head coach Thomas Brown finished the season with the Bears, who finished the season 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 the national championship game,” continued Pelissero. “Obviously, it’s unlikely that he would entertain NFL overtures before that game.”
Notre Dame will take on Ohio State University in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 20th from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, looking to capture the school’s first national title since 1988.
During appearance on ESPN The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, January 13, NFL Insider Adam Schefter said, “I heard Marcus Freeman is happy at Notre Dame.”
Just a few weeks ago, ESPN Heather Dinich reported that Freeman signed “a long-term contract extension, believed to be a four-year extension that locks him in for another six years.” Financial details of the contract have not been officially disclosed.
“He recently signed that contract. I don’t know if it’s leverage or not. I have no idea. I don’t have direct information other than that,” Schefter, 58, added.
Freeman confirmed he had signed a new contract with Notre Dame in a December 2024 statement.
Courtesy of Marcus Freeman/Instagram Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has a pretty impressive team off the field as well. Freeman, 38, who became the head football coach at Notre Dame in December 2021, married his wife Joanna Freeman in 2010. The couple met during Marcus’ time at Ohio State University, where Marcus was (…)
“The investment they continue to make in our program is invaluable to our student-athletes and staff,” Freeman said. “This commitment goes beyond me, as they are dedicated to ensuring that all aspects of our program are competitive within the upper echelon of college football.”
The Bears have already officially completed interviews with potential head coaches to fill the vacancy, including former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete CarrollDetroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben JohnsonDetroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins Anthony Weaver.
The team has an interview scheduled with the former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys Mike McCarthy on Wednesday, December 15.
For now, Freeman remains focused on Notre Dame’s quest for a national title. The College Football Playoff National Championship between the Fighting Irish and Ohio State Buckeyes airs Monday, January 20th at 7:30pm ET on ESPN.