Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman was asked about the Chicago Bears‘ request to interview him once his season is over during the College Football Playoff national championship media day press conference on Saturday.
No. 7 seed Notre Dame is set to take on No. 8 Ohio State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday night. Freeman’s focus should be on trying to earn the Irish the program’s first title since 1988.
The Chicago Bears are “enamored” with Marcus Freeman
Freeman and Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden have received interest from the NFL during their CFP run. Golden is expected to be a finalist for the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator job.
CEO Kevin Warren is reportedly “enamored” with Freeman despite the third-year head coach having signed a contract extension with Notre Dame in December that will pay the 39-year-old approximately $9 million per year.
Freeman is “humbled” by the Bears’ request
In an answer to a reporter’s question on Saturday, Freeman did not rule out speaking with the Bears after the national championship, saying he was humbled by Chicago’s interest. However, he said the NFL was not his focus before Monday night.
“The reality is, with team success comes individual recognition,” Freeman said, per video by Marcus Hartman of Dayton Daily News. “To hear that the Bears have interest, it’s humbling. It’s the NFL. It’s also a reminder that with team success comes individual success. I have put zero thought into coaching in the NFL. All my attention has just been getting this team prepared.”
Marcus Freeman on getting interest from NFL teams pic.twitter.com/RRdTTConVz
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) January 18, 2025
That’s certainly not a “no” answer.
Notre Dame Football DC Al Golden gave a similar answer
Freeman’s answer appears to have come directly from the PR department. His answer mirrored Golden’s.
“It’s humbling that your name is mentioned because of team success,” Golden said via Jeremy Rauch of Fox 19. “But, not the time or place.”
One would expect Golden to take an interview with the Bengals next week. Based on Freeman’s response, Chicago should add another interview check mark to their board after the CFP national championship.
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