It’s never easy to entertain the idea of new head coach candidates with seven games left in a season, but unfortunately, that’s exactly where the Chicago Bears find themselves right now. Matt Eberflus, once a promising hire, has suffered arguably the worst month of his coaching career, with no sign of improvement on the horizon.
After starting the season 4-2, the Bears have hit a wall post-bye week. It all began with a heartbreaking Hail Mary loss to Washington, followed by back-to-back blowout defeats to Arizona and New England. The misery continued with a gut-wrenching, last-second loss to Green Bay, where a blocked field goal sealed Chicago’s fate. Adding insult to injury, Eberflus made the difficult decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after just nine games due to his inability to get the offense on track.
The blame for this downward spiral, unfortunately, falls squarely on the shoulders of Eberflus. With a tough schedule ahead and little hope of a playoff push, it’s becoming clear that the Bears may be staring down another disappointing season. Their 7-10 record from last year may not be improved upon, and playoff hopes seem all but extinguished. As a result, whispers have started circulating that the team is already exploring potential replacements for Eberflus, and one name that is reportedly garnering attention is Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.
Why Marcus Freeman?
The Bears’ interest in Freeman comes from a couple of compelling angles. First, Freeman has direct ties to the organization, having been drafted by the Bears as a fifth-round pick in 2009. Although his NFL career was cut short due to a heart condition that forced his retirement after one season, Freeman quickly transitioned to coaching. His rise has been nothing short of meteoric, as he’s gone from a position coach to head coach of Notre Dame in just a decade. Under Freeman’s leadership, the Fighting Irish program has steadily improved, posting 9-4, 10-3, and now 10-1 records. With the team positioning itself as a strong contender for the College Football Playoff, Freeman has proven he’s capable of handling a high-profile program.
The second factor fueling Chicago’s interest in Freeman lies in the connections of Bears team president Kevin Warren. Warren, who served as the Big Ten commissioner from 2019 to 2023, has deep roots in college football. Given his background, it’s not surprising that he’d be looking to the college ranks for potential head coaching candidates, especially someone like Freeman, who has earned significant buzz within the football community.
Freeman’s Reputation: Leadership and Motivation
Freeman’s reputation as a leader and motivator is well established. Having played and worked under some of the most respected coaches in football, including Jim Tressel, Lovie Smith, Gary Kubiak, and Luke Fickell, Freeman has learned from the best. His ability to rally teams and inspire players has been a hallmark of his coaching style at Notre Dame, and it’s one of the key attributes that could make him an appealing choice for the Bears.
Despite receiving NFL interest last year, Freeman is believed to be very content in South Bend, where he’s elevated Notre Dame into national relevance once again. While the allure of coaching at the professional level might eventually draw him away from college, the fact remains that Freeman’s stock is soaring, and it’s easy to see why the Bears would consider him as a potential future head coach.
Bears’ History of College-to-NFL Coaching Hires
It’s worth noting, however, that the Bears have never hired a head coach straight from the college ranks since Ralph Jones in 1930. This historical hesitation might be one of the factors working against Freeman’s candidacy, but times are changing, and Freeman’s profile as a leader could be exactly what the Bears need to turn their franchise around.
With seven games remaining in the season, the Bears’ fate this year seems sealed. But the whispers about potential coaching changes are growing louder by the day. If Chicago does ultimately look to make a move, Marcus Freeman is one name that will likely be front and center in their search. For a franchise desperate for a fresh direction and leadership, Freeman could be the spark the Bears need to build for the future.
It’s a long shot, but with the right leadership, Freeman might just be the right fit to return the Chicago Bears to prominence. Time will tell, but one thing is clear: the Bears’ coaching search has already begun.
