Four NFL teams expressed interest in Marcus Freeman before Notre Dame return

Jeff Hauser

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Four NFL teams expressed interest in Marcus Freeman before Notre Dame return image

Four NFL teams expressed interest in Marcus Freeman before he announced his return to Notre Dame, according to multiple reports, underscoring how close the Fighting Irish coach came to becoming a serious NFL candidate this offseason.

When Freeman confirmed he would “run it back” at Notre Dame for the 2026 season, league-wide sentiment was that several franchises had already discussed his candidacy internally.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were among those teams, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. She reported Saturday that Pittsburgh held internal conversations about Freeman in the event longtime coach Mike Tomlin chose to step away, as questions have mounted during one of the most turbulent seasons of Tomlin’s tenure.

Russini added that three other teams — the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns — conducted similar internal discussions as part of their respective coaching evaluations.

This marked the second consecutive offseason Freeman’s name surfaced in NFL coaching circles. Last year, the Chicago Bears expressed interest in speaking with him, NFL Network reported. More recently, the Giants were widely expected to pursue Freeman after firing Brian Daboll, with NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo describing Freeman as the premier college coach candidate for NFL openings if he chose to listen.

Ultimately, Freeman opted for continuity. He signed a restructured contract extension through 2031 that places him among the highest-paid coaches in college football. Entering his fifth season in 2026, Freeman owns a 43–12 record since replacing Brian Kelly and guided Notre Dame to the 2024 national championship game.

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Editorial Team