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NFL teams will not give up on Marcus Freeman

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jan 11, 2026 11:22 AM ET

NFL teams seemingly will not take no for an answer when it comes to Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.

Teams still covet Freeman as a potential head coach and still want to try and persuade him to leave the college ranks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. They are not put off by Freeman’s recent contract adjustments, or by his publicly stated intentions to remain with the Fighting Irish for 2026.

“My understanding is Marcus Freeman did receive a contract adjustment — not extension, adjustment — from Notre Dame for his agreement to stay,” Rapoport said on NFL Network’s “GameDay Morning.” “These teams who viewed him highly still believe there is a chance that he comes to the NFL. They still believe he is a top-tier candidate.”

"Marcus Freeman still looms large in the NFL coaching carousel."

Teams are not giving up on trying to get the Notre Dame HC to make the jump from college to the league, per @RapSheet. pic.twitter.com/uwgJFWELeJ
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 11, 2026

The NFL can likely offer Freeman more money than Notre Dame could, even though the school has essentially said they will pay him whatever it takes to keep him. The coach made a public statement about his future in late December, but evidently, teams are not necessarily taking that as a signal to stop trying.

One team in particular appeared to be most interested in Freeman , but has seemingly moved on to a pursuit of John Harbaugh. Freeman may still be a backup plan, but is not off the list entirely.

Freeman just finished up his fourth full season with the Fighting Irish. He has gone 43-12 overall, and NFL teams clearly feel he has the qualities to be a successful coach at that level.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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