Despite publicly attempting to shut down speculation about his future, the buzz surrounding Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and a potential jump to the NFL is not fading anytime soon, as league interest and ongoing chatter continue to keep his name firmly in the conversation.
Steelers and Ravens Are Teams To Watch
On a recent episode of CBS Sports College Football, the College Football Insiders segment shared fresh intel from trusted sources around the sport, and Freeman’s name once again surfaced as a legitimate NFL candidate.
Analysts Brandon Marcello and Richard Johnson discussed the likelihood that Freeman could still pursue an NFL move and identified two surprising yet logical landing spots from the AFC North: the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Both franchises are cornerstones of the division, and both could soon be facing unexpected change. Baltimore’s decision to move on from John Harbaugh would be a seismic shift given the sustained success he delivered over his tenure.
Similarly, Mike Tomlin stepping down in Pittsburgh would be just as shocking, even with growing rumblings that the Steelers may eventually seek a new voice at the top.
That’s where Freeman comes into the picture.
Freeman’s coaching profile aligns cleanly with what NFL teams, particularly AFC North teams, value. He is known for his leadership, hands-on approach, and ability to oversee all phases of the game without leaning too heavily toward one side of the ball.
He’s a CEO style coach who blends in perfectly with what the NFL looks for. He’s not an offense-only coach. He’s not strictly a defensive mind. Instead, he’s involved everywhere, and that balance shows up clearly in Notre Dame’s on-field production.
Balance has become the defining trait of Freeman’s Fighting Irish teams. Notre Dame fields an elite offense and an equally strong defense, creating matchup problems for opponents that struggle to identify a single weakness.
According to Pro Football Sports Network (PFSN), the Irish currently hold offensive and defensive grades of 88.5 and 87.7, respectively, both ranking eighth in all of college football.
Freeman also prioritizes winning in the trenches, a philosophy that translates directly to the NFL, and especially to the AFC North. Notre Dame owns the third-best offensive line impact grade in the country at 90.4, per PFSN, and Freeman builds his offense from the ground up around a physical, run-first identity.
The Irish rank fourth nationally in rushing touchdowns with 38, which adjusts their offensive game plan. That style of football is tailor-made for late-season AFC North battles, where cold weather, physicality, and toughness often decide playoff races.
Teams like the Ravens and Steelers have long thrived by leaning on the run game and dominating up front, exactly the type of environment Freeman has proven he can succeed in.
While Notre Dame losing Freeman to the NFL would come as a major surprise, it would be an enormous win for whichever franchise managed to lure him away. Marcus will always be on the shortlist of CFB coaches going to the NFL.
As one of the brightest young coaches in college football, Freeman’s blend of leadership, balance, and physical football philosophy makes him a natural fit for the next level, even if, for now, he insists he’s staying put.
