Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish missed out on the College Football Playoff this season despite winning 10 straight games to close out the year.
Unfortunately, losing to both the Miami Hurricanes and Texas A&M Aggies to kick off the season was the nail in the coffin. Notre Dame was unable to come back from those losses.
Since the end of the season, the Fighting Irish have lost quite a bit of talent to the NCAA transfer portal. In addition, the future of Freeman with the program has been called into questions as NFL teams ponder pursuing bringing him to the professional level.
While those rumors have died down recently, a new update has been provided about Freeman’s potential NFL future.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport on January 11, Freeman still “looms large” as a potential NFL head coaching candidate.
Notre Dame Can’t Afford to Lose Marcus Freeman
Since taking over as the head coach of the Fighting Irish back in 2021, he has become one of the best in the business. He has led the Notre Dame football program to an impressive 43-12 record.
Just last season, Freeman and the Fighting Irish made a run to the national championship. They ended up losing to the Ohio State Buckeyes in that championship game, but Freeman has the program on track to winning a title.
This year had a disappointing conclusion. Had Notre Dame gotten into the playoff, there is a good chance the team could have made some noise.
If Freeman were to leave the Fighting Irish to take an NFL head coaching position, the program would take a huge step back. Freeman has been an elite recruiting coach and is the ultimate leader. Notre Dame would face a nearly impossible task of replacing him.
Back on December 29, Freeman took to social media to put an end to the rumors about him leaving for the NFL.
“2026…run it back,” his post read. “Go Irish.”
Obviously, NFL teams have not given up hope.
Which NFL Teams Could Be Options for Freeman?
Freeman has been connected to a couple of different NFL jobs so far. Both the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans have been mentioned as possible options.
That being said, there are other teams who could have interest in him.
Other NFL openings include the Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, and Miami Dolphins. A team like the Green Bay Packers could also consider a change after their brutal Wild Card collapse against the Chicago Bears.
Some of those teams could consider pursuing Freeman. He might be faced with a very difficult decision.
Even though Freeman has made it clear that he’s committed to the Fighting Irish, an offer that he can’t refuse could come. Notre Dame can only hope that he isn’t blown away by an offer that he can’t pass up.
Only time will tell, but Freeman’s name is back in the NFL rumor mill. Fans will be keeping a very close eye on the situation in the coming days.
Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman Lands Another Big NFL Update