Returning starter CJ Carr ignites Notre Dame's offense. Marcus Freeman anticipates a championship-caliber season with unparalleled offensive consistency and quarterback development.
For the first time since 2020, Notre Dame will have a retuning starter at quarterback. The outlook of the offense is extremely promising. In 2025, they finished ranked No. 3 in the country in scoring, No. 13 in total offense, No. 2 in yards per play, No. 4 in passer rating and No. 5 in the country in plays of 30 yards or longer from the line of scrimmage. Rising redshirt sophomore CJ Carr shined in his first season under center, but has another level he can reach which is truly exciting.
In his first year as a starter, the Michigan native finished completing 66.6 percent of his passes, threw for 2,741 yards, 24 passing touchdowns, rushed for an additional three, threw six interceptions and finished with a passer rating of 168.1 which ranked 6th in the country. Head coach Marcus Freeman is extremely high on this offense and what it can do with a returning starter in 2026.
"I'll tell you what, I'm excited because I've never been in this position where you have a returning starter at quarterback and the same offensive coordinator," Freeman explained. The consistency with what our offense and defensive plans will be, but also the consistency in what that quarterback position will be is really exciting. You're at a different level in terms of how you go through your process. It's not teaching CJ how to become a starting quarterback. He knows the expectations."
"Now the challenge is how does he elevate and advance," Freeman continued. "I was walking to Coach [Gino] Guidugli's office two days ago, and he's in there. He's watching Matthew Stafford. Last year, CJ would have been trying to learn what we're asking him to do. But now he's trying to elevate at a different level. He's as talented a player as I've ever been around. I'm really excited about what his future holds here this season, but also our offense."
Notre Dame hasn't had a returning starting quarterback since Ian Book in 2020. That year, they went undefeated in the regular season, played for the ACC Championship against Clemson and played in the Rose Bowl against Alabama in College Football Playoff Semi-Finals. Should the expectations be that high for Carr? I don't think so. Is the ceiling that high for Carr and this team in 2026? I'd argue it's higher.
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is now headed into year three, the talent across the board on the offensive side of the ball is extremely impressive even though they lost guys like Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, Malachi Fields and Billy Schrauth to the NFL Draft. They had some exciting portal pick ups at wide receiver to go a long with a deep and talented room, the running back room and offensive line room is loaded with talent and Carr is one of the top returning quarterbacks in the country.
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