A single post can quiet weeks of chatter. Just one line. One clover emoji. And just like that, the speculation comes to a halt. For a program that thrives in the limelight, Notre Dame didn’t need a press conference to get its point across. The future, at least for now, is staying put. What followed confirmed what many in college football hoped and what at least one NFL team had to cross off its list.

Marcus Freeman is staying at Notre Dame. Freeman posted on X, “2026… run it back. Go Irish ☘️,” signaling his return.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan added clarity, noting Freeman was no longer a candidate for the New York Giants.

“Marcus Freeman no longer among the potential options for the Giants. Remains at Notre Dame,” Raanan said.

Behind the scenes, the decision was already made. Freeman informed two NFL franchises that he would remain in South Bend. Notre Dame followed by confirming a restructured contract. The new deal extends Freeman through 2031 and places his pay in the top tier of college football coaches. Terms were not disclosed, but the message was firm: the Irish were not letting him leave.

The reasons went beyond just the money. Freeman has faith in Notre Dame’s leadership. He values the opportunity to coach college players and is eager for a serious title run in 2026. Timing is everything. Notre Dame wrapped up the season with a 10-2 record after a controversial snub from the College Football Playoff, with both losses coming by a mere four points against playoff teams.

The roster is looking strong, the defense is young, and quarterback CJ Carr is set to return as a starter for the first time during Freeman’s tenure. Plus, the Irish are heading into next season with a 10-game winning streak.

Freeman’s resume backs the confidence. He is 43-12 overall. He went 24-4 the last two seasons. His winning percentage ranks sixth in school history. Only legends stand ahead of him. NFL interest was real, including from the Giants and Titans. So was college interest from LSU, Florida, Michigan, and Penn State.

With Freeman off the board, attention quickly shifted back to the Giants and the unresolved questions surrounding their rebuild.

Giants’ rebuild hits another crossroads

The plan once seemed straightforward. Fast forward three years, and the New York Giants find themselves facing yet another reset, with questions about their future growing louder each week.

The project began in January 2022 with optimism. The Giants hired Joe Schoen, fresh from Buffalo, and paired him with Brian Daboll, the offensive mind behind Josh Allen. Early results followed. Daniel Jones played his best football. New York reached the playoffs and beat Minnesota in the Wild Card round. A new contract for Jones followed. The rebuild appeared real.

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But then everything fell apart.

The Giants slid backward fast. They finished 6-11 in 2023. Then 3-14 in 2024. This season, they sit at 3-13. The collapse peaked in 2025 when Daboll was fired after Week 10. The foundation that once looked firm gave way.

Now the focus has shifted again, this time to the quarterback position.

Ian Rapoport reported that if New York lands the No. 1 pick, the team would explore every option, including Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. That update stirred debate because rookie Jaxson Dart has been one of the few bright spots in a lost season.

Dart was taken in the first round after a trade with Houston. He became the starter in Week 4 and made an immediate mark. In his total 13 games, he totaled 13 passing touchdowns. His ability stood out even as losses piled up. Former quarterback Alex Smith pointed to Dart’s upside, saying his “ability to create is such an asset.”

Everything changed in Week 10. Dart suffered a severe concussion against Chicago. Daboll was fired shortly after. Dart returned in Week 13 but hasn’t looked the same. 

The Giants now face a familiar problem. Another losing season. Another draft decision. And another rebuild moment where patience is wearing thin.