Penn State Nittany Lions Announce Huge Decision Around Head Coach James Franklin.

Chicago Bears Eyeing Marcus Freeman, Ron Rivera for Head Coaching Role

The Chicago Bears have set their sights on Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera as candidates for their head coaching vacancy, NFL Network reported on Sunday.

Freeman, currently at the helm of Notre Dame, is leading the Fighting Irish into the College Football Playoff national championship game against Ohio State on January 20 in Atlanta. With a 33-9 record at Notre Dame, Freeman is just one victory away from securing the program’s first national championship since 1988.

At 39, Freeman is no stranger to the Chicago Bears. The team selected him in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. However, his NFL career was cut short due to a heart condition, which led him to transition into coaching.

Meanwhile, Rivera, who recently turned 63, interviewed for the Bears’ head coaching position on Sunday. Rivera brings extensive NFL experience, including a combined 13 years as a head coach with the Panthers and Commanders. During his tenure in Carolina, Rivera led the team to four playoff appearances and an NFC Championship in 2015. He holds an overall coaching record of 102-103-2. A former linebacker, Rivera was a second-round pick by the Bears in the 1984 NFL Draft and was a member of the legendary 1985 Super Bowl championship team.