Can the Chicago Bears withstand Marcus Freeman as he puts Notre Dame on the verge of a national championship?

Can the Chicago Bears Withstand Marcus Freeman as He Puts Notre Dame on the Verge of a National Championship?

The Chicago Bears and Notre Dame Fighting Irish may seem like entities in completely separate sports universes, but as football fans across the country know, there are unique ties between the two organizations. In recent years, those connections have grown more significant as Marcus Freeman, the head coach of the Notre Dame football program, has revitalized the Fighting Irish and put them on the brink of national championship contention. Freeman’s ascent as the head coach at Notre Dame coincides with significant changes in the NFL, particularly in Chicago, where the Bears are in the midst of a long-awaited rebuild.

For Chicago Bears fans, the looming question is whether Marcus Freeman’s meteoric rise as Notre Dame’s head coach will have any long-term impact on their team’s trajectory, especially as he pushes Notre Dame closer to a national championship. Will Freeman’s success create a challenge for the Bears as they compete for their own championship aspirations, or will it be a tale of two franchises charting separate, albeit intertwined, paths?

This article will delve into the strategic and historical dynamics that have shaped both organizations, explore Freeman’s journey at Notre Dame, and examine how the rise of Freeman and the Fighting Irish could directly or indirectly influence the future of the Chicago Bears. Through this lens, we’ll evaluate whether the Chicago Bears can withstand the wave of energy and competitiveness that Freeman is likely to bring to the college football world and, perhaps, even NFL-related media narratives.

A Tale of Two Cities: Chicago Bears and Notre Dame Football

First, it’s important to understand the longstanding significance of both the Chicago Bears and Notre Dame football within their respective fields.

The Chicago Bears: A Storied NFL Franchise

The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL’s oldest and most storied franchises, with a history of both triumph and heartbreak. Founded in 1919, the team has experienced moments of incredible success, including nine championships, one of which came after the 1985 season when the Bears won Super Bowl XX. However, in recent years, the Bears have been unable to find sustained success, falling short of consistently competing for championships.

Despite their rich history, the Bears have faced a rebuilding process for several seasons. Quarterback play, defensive inconsistency, and issues with offensive schemes have hindered the Bears from returning to the prominence they once enjoyed. Entering the 2025 season, the Bears are focusing on nurturing the development of their young quarterback, Justin Fields, while building a well-rounded roster to challenge for future playoff contention.

Notre Dame Football: A Legacy of Excellence and Tradition

Notre Dame football, on the other hand, carries with it an entirely different set of expectations. The Fighting Irish are often seen as a college football powerhouse with a proud tradition of success and championships. The team has a deep connection to the Catholic community and a unique independent status within the NCAA, making Notre Dame football distinct in many ways from other programs in the nation.

Notre Dame’s historic dominance in college football spans decades, with legendary figures like Knute Rockne, Ara Parseghian, and Lou Holtz guiding the program to national titles and bowl victories. However, in recent years, the Irish have found themselves in a state of near-misses when it comes to achieving a national championship. For much of the 21st century, Notre Dame has remained in the hunt for a title but has struggled to break through, despite several playoff appearances.

As Marcus Freeman took over as head coach in 2022, following the departure of Brian Kelly, he brought a renewed sense of optimism to the program. Freeman’s leadership and coaching acumen have quickly transformed Notre Dame’s defense into one of the most formidable units in the country, and his recruiting efforts have resulted in a surge of top-tier talent.

Marcus Freeman’s Impact on Notre Dame

Marcus Freeman’s rise as Notre Dame’s head coach has been nothing short of spectacular. As a former Notre Dame linebacker and a rising star in coaching circles, Freeman took over a program that had just come off a solid season under Kelly, but there were questions surrounding the team’s ability to compete with the best of the best at the national level.

However, Freeman’s enthusiasm, tactical expertise, and leadership style quickly endeared him to players and fans alike. Under Freeman, Notre Dame has rapidly improved in many key areas, particularly defensively, where they’ve consistently fielded one of the best units in college football. Freeman has also emphasized building a cohesive team culture and maintaining high academic standards, making Notre Dame a more well-rounded program.

Freeman’s first full season (2023) saw him lead Notre Dame to an impressive regular season record and another appearance in a New Year’s Six bowl game, with the Irish putting up solid performances against some of the nation’s best. Now, as he enters his third year as head coach, the pressure is mounting on Freeman to deliver a national title to Notre Dame, with many expecting the Fighting Irish to be one of the top contenders for the College Football Playoff (CFP) championship.

Freeman’s trajectory has captured national attention, and the hype surrounding Notre Dame’s future is undeniable. As Freeman builds Notre Dame into a legitimate national title contender, he could eventually push the Fighting Irish to that elusive national championship—something the program hasn’t won since 1988.

How Does This Impact the Chicago Bears?

Given that both the Bears and Notre Dame reside in the Midwest, their fates are often intertwined in terms of regional media coverage, fan attention, and potential talent pipelines. As Freeman’s Notre Dame team nears the national championship, the energy surrounding the Irish could shift attention toward college football, which has both positive and negative ramifications for the Bears.

The Rising Competition for Attention

One of the key factors in play for the Bears is the attention that Freeman’s success brings to Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish’s potential to win a national championship could boost their popularity significantly, drawing more eyes to college football at the expense of the NFL. For a franchise like the Bears, who struggle to fill the stands at Soldier Field and have faced criticism for their underperformance in recent seasons, Freeman’s success at Notre Dame could further overshadow the Bears’ efforts.

If Notre Dame finds itself contending for a national title, much of the sports media landscape in Chicago will likely shift focus to cover the Irish’s playoff games and championship aspirations. This could lead to reduced coverage of the Bears in the local media market, which would further add to the pressure on the franchise to perform at a higher level.

The Bears’ Rebuild: Competing in the Same Market

The Chicago Bears are currently in a rebuilding phase, focusing on youth development and long-term growth under head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles. Justin Fields, the promising young quarterback, has shown flashes of brilliance but is still finding his way as a starter in the NFL. The Bears are expected to continue to focus on player development, improved coaching, and strong team culture, much like Freeman is doing at Notre Dame.

However, if Freeman succeeds in elevating Notre Dame to championship contention, it could increase pressure on the Bears to match the energy and excitement generated by the Fighting Irish. Chicago fans are incredibly passionate about football, and with Freeman leading Notre Dame to prominence, some might look to the Bears to elevate their game similarly. This could lead to heightened expectations for the Bears, particularly if Freeman and Notre Dame manage to secure a national championship.

Recruiting and Talent Development

One of the more subtle ways Freeman’s success could impact the Bears is through recruiting. As Freeman’s coaching staff continues to draw top-tier recruits to Notre Dame, they could eventually influence the NFL Draft landscape. If Notre Dame’s talent pool continues to grow, particularly on defense and in skill positions, some of those players might eventually end up in the NFL, including with the Bears.

In fact, in recent years, several Notre Dame players have been drafted into the NFL, including defensive stars like Kyle Hamilton (Baltimore Ravens) and Jerry Tillery (Los Angeles Chargers). The increasing success of Freeman’s recruiting efforts could result in more talented Notre Dame players entering the NFL, which could eventually affect the Bears, either through direct draft picks or scouting interest.

For a rebuilding team like the Bears, keeping an eye on the future talent pipeline is key. If Freeman succeeds in building a national powerhouse at Notre Dame, his recruiting efforts could indirectly impact the Bears’ strategy, especially when it comes to scouting college players and improving team depth.

The Pressure to Compete for Championships

The most significant impact of Marcus Freeman’s success at Notre Dame could be the heightened pressure it places on the Chicago Bears to win. Chicago sports fans are some of the most loyal in the country, but they also have high expectations. If Freeman leads Notre Dame to a national title and the Bears continue to struggle in their rebuild, the fanbase may grow frustrated with the lack of championship success in the city.

With the renewed optimism surrounding Freeman’s Notre Dame program, the pressure on the Bears will only intensify. The city’s championship hopes would be somewhat pinned on both teams, and if the Bears fail to live up to expectations, it may create a sense of competition between Chicago’s football worlds.