Report: Chicago Bears want to interview Marcus Freeman for head coaching vacancy

The Chicago Bears reportedly want to interview Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman for their vacant head coaching job, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Freeman is in the middle of his third full season with Notre Dame and is set to coach in the national championship game against Ohio State on January 20. He has not coached in the NFL throughout his career.

But, the Bears hit the reset button and are looking for a long term and successful solution at head coach that they haven’t had in quite some time.

“I am told the team wants to interview Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman for the job,” Pelissero said. “Freeman is in the midst of a magical run with the Fighting Irish to the national championship game. Obviously it’s unlikely that he would entertain NFL overtures prior to that game a week from tomorrow against Ohio State. But the Bears have done extensive research for months on Marcus Freeman. He’s only 39 years old (and it) would not be a shock, if at some point he at least considers going to the NFL.”

By the looks of the report, the Bears certainly did their homework. He’s 33-9 as a head coach, including 14-1 this season going into the CFP title game.

This isn’t the first time the NFL and Freeman were mentioned in the same sentence. He was asked about his interest in the pros and vice versa.

But it was on the heels of Freeman signing a contract extension with the school.

“I don’t know when they announced it, I can’t remember, but about a week or two ago, they announced another long contract here at Notre Dame,” Freeman said, alluding to his extension amid interest from the NFL swirling. “So, I don’t think we have anything to worry about.”

Of course, Freeman inked a massive contract extension is believed to be for four more seasons, via ESPN’s Heather Dinich, and it’ll lock him up for six years in total. The new deal will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the country, but specifics were not disclosed because Notre Dame is a private institution.

“The investment they continue to pour into our program is invaluable to our student-athletes and staff,” Freeman said, at the time of his extension. “This commitment goes well beyond myself, as they are dedicated to ensuring all aspects of our program are competitive within the upper echelon of college football.”

The Bears fired Matt Eberflus prior to the end of the season but want to sell the next coach on No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams following an up and down rookie year.

With some pieces in place offensively and defensively, the franchise just might need the right voice to turn it in the right direction.