Adam Schefter Has Important Update On Marcus Freeman Bears Situation
The Chicago Bears are digging deeper into the college head coach market than they ever have during this cycle. They were already meeting with Iowa State standout Matt Campbell. Now, they’ve requested a chance to do the same with Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame. He is the more interesting of the two because he’s both a former Bears draft pick and also has his team one win away from a national championship. The belief is this move is spearheaded by team president Kevin Warren, who is said to be smitten with Freeman.
Hence, the obvious question must be raised. Is this really possible? The Bears haven’t hired a head coach straight out of college in 95 years. This would be an unprecedented move. Adam Schefter was asked about Freeman’s situation on The Pat McAfee Show. From what he understands, the 39-year-old head coach is happy at Notre Dame and not inclined to go anywhere else.
Marcus Freeman looks like he’s where he belongs.
He’s been a college guy for almost his entire adult life. He spent one year in the NFL, bouncing around practice squads before retiring to pursue a coaching career. Notre Dame just signed him a contract extension, paying him $10 million per year. He’s leading one of the most prestigious programs in college football. There really isn’t much incentive to pursue a job in the pros outside of more money. While the Bears might be willing to go higher than what he’s making now, there just isn’t enough to sway Freeman unless he’s dead set on reaching the NFL.
He’d likely require a lot of money and power. That means a significant say on the personnel front, something the Bears never allow with their head coaches. They tried it once with Dave Wannstedt and that didn’t last long. This feels like an organization testing the waters to see if they can lure a guy they respect to their building. There is no harm in asking. Still, it appears as if that road is a dead end.