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Newsstand: ESPN’s Adam Schefter comments on Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman and Chicago Bears rumors

Singer headshotby:Mike Singer•about 19 hours•

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Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman. (Photo by Chad Weaver/BGI)

On Sunday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Chicago Bears are interested in interviewing Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman for its head coach vacancy. This begs the question: Is Freeman going reciprocate the interest?

ESPN insider Adam Schefter weighed in during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show Monday afternoon.

“I have heard that Marcus Freeman is happy at Notre Dame,” Schefter said. “He did sign that deal recently. I don’t know whether that’s leverage or not. I have no idea. I don’t have direct information beyond that.”

One thing is for sure: nothing will happen before the national championship game Jan. 20. But when that game passes, it still seems unlikely that Freeman will make a move. Freeman signed a contact extension before the Irish’s College Football Playoff opening matchup against Indiana.  

ESPN’s Heather Dinich reported that Freeman agreed to a four-year deal that will keep him under contract at Notre Dame through 2030 and is believed to make him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.

Here is what Pelissero said Sunday regarding the Bears’ interest in Freeman.

“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 shock if at some point he at least considers going to the NFL.”

ESPN’s Hannah Storm also asked Freeman 10 days ago about being an NFL coaching candidate, and he did his best to reassure Irish fans.

“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,” said Freeman. “So, I don’t think we have anything to worry about.”

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“He’s somebody that I’ve respected from afar and just the way that he competes, and he’s a great athlete. He’s got a great mindset. Again, watching him play this year and the toughness and leadership that he brings, you can tell the offense and the entire team feeds off of him. So a lot of respect for his game.”

— Ohio State coach Ryan Day on Irish quarterback Riley Leonard

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