Seems all pretty straightforward.

by Pete, Thursday, July 23, 2026, 06:42 (2 days ago) @ Jeremy (WeIsND)

Last season was probably the first time he garnered really serious courting by an NFL team, and it's only reasonable that he should want to at least kick the tires on the whole thing. After missing the playoff, he certainly had the time to do so. And even if he was 98% sure he wouldn't want to jump, it only serves him to play out the string, both in terms of professional thoroughness about opportunities and also to compel ND to further underline their commitment to him, which is nothing but good for him.

Wouldn't be at all surprising for him to really get under the hood of the NFL coaching process last year and discover and/or confirm that it's not the right fit for him and he's good where he is.