Marcus Freeman to Return to Notre Dame on Reported 'Top Tier' Contract Amid NFL Rumors

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman quickly shut down any notion that he would pursue an NFL job this offseason.

Freeman took to social media with a simple message to announce that he will be back with the Fighting Irish in 2026:

Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated reported that Freeman and Notre Dame have agreed to a restructured contract that puts him in the "top tier" in compensation among college coaches. Sources also told Forde that Freeman "informed two NFL franchises that had been in communication with him about their jobs that he was staying" with the Fighting Irish.

Freeman had already signed a six-year contract with Notre Dame last year, so Forde noted that Monday's restructured deal "adds one more year to the end, extending him through 2031." Sources added that while there was a "high degree of interest from the NFL," Freeman's decision "came down to trusting the leadership alignment at Notre Dame, the experience of working with college-age athletes and the desire to make a run at a championship in 2026."

Notre Dame went 10-2 this season and was controversially excluded from the College Football Playoff. It was just a year ago that the Fighting Irish made a magical run to the national championship game and finished with a 14-2 record.

Freeman has coached Notre Dame since replacing Brian Kelly in 2021 and has a 43-12 record with the team. The Fighting Irish are expected to have a championship-worthy roster next season, led by returning starting quarterback CJ Carr. Freeman will undoubtedly be motivated to prove that he made the right decision to remain in South Bend.