A big setback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, as their head coach, Marcus Freeman, will not be coaching their final game after being hired by New…..

Indeed, Marcus Freeman led Notre Dame to a victory over Penn State on Thursday, therefore securing a place in this season’s College Football Playoffs National Championship.

But it took practically no time following the Fighting Irish’s outstanding triumph for some to propose Freeman might be headed for the NFL. Notre Dame and its head coach agreed to a four-year deal last month. Pete Thamel of ESPN claims that before Freeman signed, his contract buyout was thought to be worth $4 million.

One could presume that the Fighting Irish raised the buyout amount with his new contract, which makes hiring him more difficult for other colleges or NFL teams. NFL owners would not have trouble paying Notre Dame whatever Freeman’s new buyout sum is to hire him, though.

Before the 2025 season kicks off, the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets need a new head coach. For the Bears of the six teams, Freeman would be the most logical choice.

Chicago selected the Fighting Irish head coach in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft, hence he has experience with that city. Sadly, Freeman never showed up for a game for the Bears; so, it remains to be seen whether he wishes to play for that team once more. Still, there is the link.

Earlier this month, Chicago general manager Ryan Poles said the organization is searching for a new head coach who is a terrific leader and holds players responsible. Freeman most definitely comes across like this.

“We’re digging deeper than we have ever done, thus some [head-coaching candidates] you wouldn’t expect will surprise you,” Poles added. Might Freeman be the unexpected Chicago candidate? It’s probably not too far off that he will be an NFL head coach even if he doesn’t end up coaching the Bears.

Sadly for Notre Dame, that might come soon after they compete in the College Football Playoffs National Championship on January 20.