Marcus Freeman Emerges as Coveted NFL Candidate as Giants and Titans Circle

Marcus Freeman has quickly become one of the most intriguing names in the NFL coaching market, and his appeal is no longer limited to the New York Giants. Multiple teams are now monitoring the 39-year-old Notre Dame head coach as the league’s coaching carousel begins to turn.

The Giants, who dismissed Brian Daboll after a Week 10 loss to the Chicago Bears, were the first franchise publicly linked to Freeman. Sitting near the bottom of the standings, New York has been preparing for a comprehensive reset and is expected to cast a wide net.

They are not alone. According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Tennessee Titans — who parted ways with Brian Callahan following a Week 6 defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders — have also been doing background work on Freeman, even as they navigate another difficult season.

While no team has formally requested permission to speak with Freeman, the growing buzz reflects a league-wide curiosity about whether one of college football’s brightest young leaders is ready to make the leap.

1. NFL Interest Gathers Momentum

Fowler reported that Freeman’s name has been “heavily circulated” in recent weeks, noting that both the Giants and Titans are expected to show interest once official interview requests are permitted. Several other franchises with potential openings are also believed to be tracking his availability. For now, Freeman is taking a measured approach. Those close to him say he plans to spend the coming weeks deciding whether he wants to engage in discussions with NFL teams, weighing the stability he has built at Notre Dame against the allure of professional football. Some coaches in his orbit believe he will ultimately remain in the college ranks, where he has become a defining figure for the Fighting Irish. Still, the opportunity to explore NFL possibilities appears increasingly realistic. What happens next may hinge as much on Freeman’s personal ambitions as on the level of urgency among teams desperate for a cultural reset.

2. Why Tennessee Is Paying Attention

The Titans’ reported interest is particularly striking given the franchise’s prolonged rebuild. Tennessee has lost at least 10 games in four consecutive seasons and currently sits at 3–12, a record that has prompted sweeping organizational introspection. A major focus in their next coaching hire will be the development of rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick. Ward has thrown for 2,866 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions, but he has also been sacked 51 times, underscoring the instability around him. Tennessee’s leadership appears to be searching for a coach capable of building structure from the ground up, not just scheming wins. Freeman’s reputation for discipline, culture and player development fits that profile. For a team mired in losing seasons, the idea of importing a program builder from one of college football’s blue bloods is understandably appealing.

3. Freeman’s College Résumé

Freeman’s track record at Notre Dame speaks for itself. He has compiled a 43–12 record across more than four seasons, first stepping in as interim head coach after Brian Kelly’s departure in 2021 before taking the job full time in 2022. Under his leadership, the Fighting Irish have produced four straight winning seasons and finished each year ranked in the final Top 25 of both the AP and College Football Playoff polls. The program’s high-water mark came in 2024, when Notre Dame reached the national championship game before falling to Ohio State. The 2025 campaign further highlighted the program’s stability, as the Irish went 10–2 and narrowly missed the CFP despite not playing in a conference title game. Over the past four draft cycles, Notre Dame has sent 18 players to the NFL, including Kyren Williams, Kyle Hamilton and Joe Alt. Though often labeled a defensive coach, Freeman has also overseen quarterback development, including redshirt freshman CJ Carr’s breakout season in which Carr posted 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, six interceptions and a top-10 QBR.