General manager Ryan Poles said last week the Bears coaching search would be thorough and could reach into the college ranks.
How about Marcus Freeman? The Bears have done preliminary research about the Notre Dame head coach, NFL Network reported Sunday morning.
If he ends up meeting with the Bears, it likely wouldn’t be until the conclusion of the national championship game against Ohio State on Jan. 20.
The Bears will have to wait at least that long to speak in person with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who they interviewed virtually on Saturday. Johnson is the most coveted coach on the market now that Mike Vrabel signed on to become the Patriots head coach. The Bears have put an emphasis on coaches who have a plan for quarterback Caleb Williams.
Freeman, 39, would fit the Bears’ need for a culture changer. He’s not an offensive-minded coach, though. And he might already have a better job.
He signed a four-year extension last month, bringing his contract to six years.
The Bears drafted Freeman in Round 5 in 2009 but cut him in training camp.