After the Chicago Bears parted ways with head coach Matt Eberflus following their Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions, speculation about potential candidates for the position has grown.
While many expect the Bears to target prominent NFL coordinators, Marcus Freeman, head coach of Notre Dame football, has emerged as a surprising candidate.
FOX Sports’ Peter Schrager mentioned Freeman as a potential option during the FOX NFL Kickoff show, as reported by Nick Geddes of On3.com.
Schrager noted that Bears president Kevin Warren, formerly the Big Ten commissioner, might value Freeman’s leadership qualities over purely schematic expertise. “They’re looking for a ‘leader of men’ type coach,” Schrager said, adding that Freeman is a name to watch early in the hiring process.
Although top NFL coordinators like Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, both from the Detroit Lions, are expected to be linked to the job, Freeman’s candidacy suggests the Bears could prioritize leadership over tactical experience.
Johnson, in particular, might be a strong contender due to the Bears’ likely acquisition of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, presumably to select quarterback Caleb Williams.
Following Notre Dame’s 49-35 victory over USC, which secured the team a spot in the College Football Playoff, Freeman addressed the rumors.
He emphasized focusing on the present rather than speculating about the future. “I try not to waste time thinking about an uncertain future,” Freeman said, according to Geddes. “I tell our players all the time, your future is uncertain. So, I haven’t spent any time really thinking about what the future will provide.”
As Freeman prepares for Notre Dame’s playoff run and upcoming recruiting efforts, it remains to be seen whether he will entertain discussions with the Bears.
However, with Chicago’s coaching search likely extending into the offseason, his name could remain in contention.
