The Chicago Bears are on the hunt for the next head coach in franchise history after firing Matt Eberflus. According to an NFL insider, the list of candidates includes Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.
Videos by FanBuzz
Fox Sports' Peter Schrager provided the insight Sunday morning as fans prepared for a busy day of football. He mentioned the obvious candidates for the head coaching job but also threw in the detail about the Notre Dame leader.
"You're going to get (Mike) Vrabel's name, Ben Johnson's name," Schrager said. "Kliff Kingsbury, who worked with (Bears quarterback) Caleb Williams. Another name that you haven't heard anywhere else that I would keep an eye on — Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.
"Kevin Warren, former Big Ten Commissioner, also is now running the Bears as President. Familiar with the college game. (The Bears) are looking for a leader of men-type coach."
According to @PSchrags, the Bears fired Matt Eberflus Friday just minutes after his morning media session.
Also, Schrager has the latest on Jets veterans Aaron Rodgers and Tyron Smith.
Plus, snow warning in Buffalo tonight ❄️❄️ How will the conditions look for 49ers-Bills? pic.twitter.com/i1HN5ARiDt
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 1, 2024
Freeman is a relatively familiar name to the Chicago Bears. He landed with the NFC North team as a fifth-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, but he did not make the final roster. The team waived him ahead of the 2009 season.
Freeman never stuck in the NFL due to a heart condition that forced him to retire. However, he remained in football while moving into the world of coaching. He enjoyed stints with Ohio State, Kent State, Purdue, and Cincinnati before landing at Notre Dame as defensive coordinator.
Once Brian Kelly left Notre Dame in 2021 to head to LSU, Freeman was promoted to head coach. He has remained in this position since while leading the Fighting Irish to a record of 30-9 in three seasons. His teams have won two bowl games and lost another.
According to Schrager, Freeman has put himself into the conversation as the Bears look toward the future. However, another insider has highlighted a different candidate, one who has extensive experience coaching against the Bears.
ESPN's Adam Schefter said during Sunday's pre-game show that Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is the name to watch as the Bears go through the coaching search.
"Everybody's gonna have their eyes on Ben Johnson, the Lions offensive coordinator, and I think he might have some interest in that job," Schefter said. "We'll see if they can convince him to come to Chicago."
