2024-25 NFL Thread

[WhiteTrash]

In Bears' news/rumors: "Johnson met with Chicago on Saturday, and general manager Ryan Poles reportedly wants Johnson."

Not sure if Poles has any role in the hire, but there it is.

[Dish]

I didn't think it was anywhere realistic 6 weeks ago, and it was a negotiating ploy back then, but...

...Marcus Freeman is going to be your next Bears head coach.

He's the only candidate that's had smoke around him since Eberflus got let go from his side and the Bears side. It wasn't a coincidence Poles specifically mentioned college coaches as an option. And most importantly, the only good NFL insider (Pelissero) is reporting the interest.

[The Sultan]

I didn't think it was anywhere realistic 6 weeks ago, and it was a negotiating ploy back then, but...

...Marcus Freeman is going to be your next Bears head coach.

He's the only candidate that's had smoke around him since Eberflus got let go from his side and the Bears side. It wasn't a coincidence Poles specifically mentioned college coaches as an option. And most importantly, the only good NFL insider (Pelissero) is reporting the interest.

Is Freeman interested?

[Uncle Rico]

More like TD Nix

[Dish]

Is Freeman interested?

My belief is he has interest. Former Bears draft pick, if he's going to make the move to the NFL, his leverage will never be higher.

He already signed an extension, and I don't think Pelissero drops his name if he isn't interested.

This isn't an endorsement of Freeman on my end, I have no idea if he'd be a good NFL head coach. Too many teams leaves though to ignore.

[cheebs09]

I didn't think it was anywhere realistic 6 weeks ago, and it was a negotiating ploy back then, but...

...Marcus Freeman is going to be your next Bears head coach.

He's the only candidate that's had smoke around him since Eberflus got let go from his side and the Bears side. It wasn't a coincidence Poles specifically mentioned college coaches as an option. And most importantly, the only good NFL insider (Pelissero) is reporting the interest.

Interesting. He never coached in the NFL and never played in a regular season game in his one year in the NFL. Maybe ND isn't a dream job and he thinks he'd be able to go to Ohio State in the future.

If you're the Bears, I'm not sure why you'd trust Caleb Williams' development to a guy who only was a college head coach for 3 years and is a defensive guy.

[Dish]

Interesting. He never coached in the NFL and never played in a regular season game in his one year in the NFL. Maybe ND isn't a dream job and he thinks he'd be able to go to Ohio State in the future.

If you're the Bears, I'm not sure why you'd trust Caleb Williams' development to a guy who only was a college head coach for 3 years and is a defensive guy.

Definitely agree, I don't know how this would help Caleb Williams progression. Total guess is if (big if) they went this route, Bears management would want Thomas Brown as OC.

[Uncle Rico]

Interesting. He never coached in the NFL and never played in a regular season game in his one year in the NFL. Maybe ND isn't a dream job and he thinks he'd be able to go to Ohio State in the future.

If you're the Bears, I'm not sure why you'd trust Caleb Williams' development to a guy who only was a college head coach for 3 years and is a defensive guy.

I believe the phrase used earlier in this search was "leader" and I think Freeman checks that box.  He's still young enough that he isn't a guy ingrained with the college mindset some guys bring with them to the NFL.

I think he's done incredible work at Notre Dame navigating the current landscape and quite frankly, rallying the team after that bad NIU loss.  They brushed it off and destroyed Purdue and never looked back.

Of all the current college coaches, he might be the top guy to choose from.  Might be.  Don't know that for sure.  He has to strike while the iron is hot.  The playoff will get restructured in such a way that the SEC and Big Ten have bigger advantages and guaranteed slots.  As of now, the best ND can get seeded is 5.  Lot has gone right for them in this playoff season.  I can see it.

[Uncle Rico]

You can't run a fake punt and then punt from the opponents 39. 

[Pakuni]

I believe the phrase used earlier in this search was "leader" and I think Freeman checks that box.  He's still young enough that he isn't a guy ingrained with the college mindset some guys bring with them to the NFL.

I think he's done incredible work at Notre Dame navigating the current landscape and quite frankly, rallying the team after that bad NIU loss.  They brushed it off and destroyed Purdue and never looked back.

Of all the current college coaches, he might be the top guy to choose from.  Might be.  Don't know that for sure.  He has to strike while the iron is hot.  The playoff will get restructured in such a way that the SEC and Big Ten have bigger advantages and guaranteed slots.  As of now, the best ND can get seeded is 5.  Lot has gone right for them in this playoff season.  I can see it.

It makes a ton of sense from Freeman's standpoint. Even if he flops, he'll make a lot of money and be able to choose his landing spot back in college when he's still in his early 40s.
I do not get it from the Bears standpoint unless people like Ben Johnson (who surprisingly seems legitimately interested in Vegas) and Todd Monken are telling them no. It's a lot easier to be a CEO/leader of men coach in college than the NFL and he's going to have to unearth some legitimately great coordinators (and not Al Golden and Mike Denbrock) to make it work. Seems like a huge swing for Poles/Warren to take with their jobs potentially on the line.

[WhiteTrash]

Definitely agree, I don't know how this would help Caleb Williams progression. Total guess is if (big if) they went this route, Bears management would want Thomas Brown as OC.

This would be the reason I would not want Freeman. Any coach who desperate enough to be the Bears' HC that he'll allow the team president or owner pick his OC, is not the right man for the job. 

I agree he candidacy is a big if. I'm not high on him due to his razor thin resume and I really doubt the Bears FO would have the guts to risk their careers on Freeman. 

[Uncle Rico]

It makes a ton of sense from Freeman's standpoint. Even if he flops, he'll make a lot of money and be able to choose his landing spot back in college when he's still in his early 40s.
I do not get it from the Bears standpoint unless people like Ben Johnson (who surprisingly seems legitimately interested in Vegas) and Todd Monken are telling them no. It's a lot easier to be a CEO/leader of men coach in college than the NFL and he's going to have to unearth some legitimately great coordinators (and not Al Golden and Mike Denbrock) to make it work. Seems like a huge swing for Poles/Warren to take with their jobs potentially on the line.

I'd want to see his staff before judging whether it's a good hire.

If DD is correct and this has at least some steam, I'd bet those conversations about a staff have happened

[forgetful]

You can't run a fake punt and then punt from the opponents 39. 

Apparently you can.

[WhiteTrash]

If DD is correct and this has at least some steam, I'd bet those conversations about a staff have happened

You give the Bears way too much credit. I don't think they are anywhere close to being as sophisticated as your average NFL FO.

[WhiteTrash]

Just saw Freeman makes $9M per year with ND. I don't think he'll do better with the Bears. Flus was paid $4.5M.

[wadesworld]

Just saw Freeman makes $9M per year with ND. I don't think he'll do better with the Bears. Flus was paid $4.5M.

Right. Top college coaches make more than most NFL coaches. And things would have to go horribly for Freeman for his seat to get warm in South Bend. And if Ohio State does open up at any point soon, he'd be at the top of their list anyway.

[WhiteTrash]

IMO, Bears will go with Johnson or Monken. I'd be okay with those choices.

[tower912]

I don't think Johnson says yes to Chicago.  All that dysfunction you guys talk about.

[Uncle Rico]

Interesting dichotomy this weekend.  Herbert's struggles yesterday probably brings doubt to the Chargers ceiling while after a half, Nix's performance has to be encouraging for Broncos fans.

Note: Through one half and SUBJECT TO CHANGE

[Pakuni]

I don't think Johnson says yes to Chicago.  All that dysfunction you guys talk about.

Maybe, but there aren't often NFL teams looking for a new coach when there isn't at least some dysfunction. No lack of dysfunction in Vegas, Jacksonville or with the Jets. And New Orleans may be relatively drama-free, but their roster/cap situation makes that job the least attractive out there.

What might give Johnson second thoughts (IMO) is the front-office uncertainty (discord?) and not wanting to play in the NFC North, including twice a year against the Lions.

[Uncle Rico]

Buffalo dominating the LOS on offense but only up 6.  Broncos will let them kick FGs

[WhiteTrash]

Maybe, but there aren't often NFL teams looking for a new coach when there isn't at least some dysfunction. No lack of dysfunction in Vegas, Jacksonville or with the Jets. And New Orleans may be relatively drama-free, but their roster/cap situation makes that job the least attractive out there.

What might give Johnson second thoughts (IMO) is the front-office uncertainty (discord?) and not wanting to play in the NFC North, including twice a year against the Lions.

I'll add, I'm not convinced Poles is safe. Maybe the Bears follow the Pats lead where Vrable is picking his GM.

[tower912]

That was a nasty hit.

[wadesworld]

That was a nasty hit.

I put it more on Josh Allen, though. I'd the throw is on target it's a catch, and the back isn't falling forward and his head isn't even part of the play. It was a nasty hit, but it's hard for a DB to pull up when it's not clear it won't be a completed pass.

[Pakuni]

I'll add, I'm not convinced Poles is safe. Maybe the Bears follow the Pats lead where Vrable is picking his GM.

That would be very unlike the Bears to fire the guy after publicly declaring him safe.

Patriots didn't have a GM, really. The putative GM (Eliot Wolf) is still there and reportedly still the main personnel guy. They're just letting Vrabel bring in some additional front-office guys of his choosing.

What's interesting is that Vegas initially indicated Telesco was safe as GM and then firing him three days later. That feels like something they'd do to win over a specific coach (hence some smoke that Johnson has legit interest in that job).