As the offseason kicks off in South Bend, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are staring down a pivotal stretch of development and decision-making. Head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock have a full plate as they assess what’s next for an offense that showed plenty of promise in 2025-but is now facing turnover at key positions. With spring ball still months away, we’re diving into the five biggest questions facing Notre Dame’s offense heading into 2026.
1. How Big of a Leap Can CJ Carr Take in Year Two?
For the first time since 2020, Notre Dame will enter a season with a returning starter at quarterback-and that alone is a storyline worth watching. Redshirt sophomore CJ Carr showed flashes of brilliance in his debut campaign, giving Irish fans a glimpse of what the future could look like under center. Now, the challenge shifts from potential to production.
Carr’s rookie season had its moments, but 2026 will demand more-more consistency, more command, and more leadership. With running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price moving on, the offense may lean more heavily on Carr’s arm. That opens the door for a more pass-centric attack, but also puts more responsibility on a young quarterback still growing into the role.
The Irish haven’t had a true quarterback carry the offense in quite some time. Carr has the tools to change that narrative, but development is the key. If he takes the expected second-year jump, Notre Dame could be looking at one of the more dynamic passing games in recent program history.
2. Will the Run Game Reload or Rebuild?
Replacing Love and Price is no small task. That duo brought explosiveness, vision, and versatility to the Irish backfield.
But the good news? Notre Dame’s running back room is still one of the deepest in the country-and reinforcements from the 2026 class haven’t even arrived yet.
The Irish run game was elite in 2025-top 20 in yards per game, top 10 in yards per carry, and top 5 in rushing touchdowns. That kind of production doesn’t happen without a strong offensive line, and that’s where the next layer of this question lies.
Joe Rudolph has talent to work with up front, but the right combination of personnel and alignment will be critical. Who steps into starting roles?
Who emerges as the tone-setter?
There’s no shortage of options in the backfield, but it’s going to take more than depth. Notre Dame needs a new lead back to emerge-and a line that can continue to open lanes at an elite clip.
3. Who Becomes the Go-To Playmaker?
The Irish didn’t just lose their top two backs-they also saw three of their top four pass catchers depart. Malachi Fields, Eli Raridon, and Will Pauling combined for nearly 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns. That’s a big chunk of production walking out the door.
So, who steps up?
Jaden Greathouse is a name to watch. He’s got the talent, but 2025 was an up-and-down campaign.
Can he become the consistent weapon this offense needs? Then there’s the youth movement-guys like Cam Williams, Micah Gilbert, and Elijah Burress are all in the mix.
And don’t count out the incoming freshmen, who could shake up the depth chart with strong spring and summer showings.
There’s also the wildcard: the possibility that Notre Dame’s next breakout star isn’t even on the roster yet. Whether it’s a current player making a leap or a newcomer making an instant impact, the Irish need someone to emerge as the guy in the passing game.
4. Can the Passing Game Be the Focal Point?
For most of Freeman’s tenure, the offense has leaned on the ground game. From Estime to Diggs to Leonard to Love and Price, the Irish have had a stable of backs capable of carrying the load. But 2026 could mark a shift in philosophy.
With Carr returning and a backfield in transition, the passing game may need to shoulder more of the burden. That’s a big ask, especially considering the turnover at wide receiver and tight end. But it’s also an opportunity.
Carr showed in 2025 that he can make throws all over the field. The question is whether the supporting cast can rise to the occasion.
Can the offensive line protect consistently? Can the receivers create separation and make contested catches?
If the answers are yes, this offense could evolve into something we haven’t seen in recent years-a Notre Dame team that wins through the air.
5. Can the Irish Solve Their Red Zone Woes?
Here’s the stat that doesn’t quite compute: Notre Dame averaged 42.0 points per game in 2025-third-best in the country-but ranked 119th in red zone efficiency. That’s a massive disconnect, and it’s one of the biggest issues the staff needs to address this offseason.
Some of the red zone struggles were self-inflicted. Jadarian Price lost two fumbles inside the 20.
CJ Carr threw two red zone interceptions in back-to-back weeks. Short-yardage play-calling near the goal line lacked creativity and punch.
And while kicking game issues certainly didn’t help, the offense left too many points on the field.
Fixing the red zone doesn’t just mean scoring touchdowns-it means being efficient, smart, and aggressive when the field shrinks. Without the safety net of Love and Price, the Irish will need to find new ways to punch it in. If they do, this offense has the firepower to chase another program scoring record.
Final Thought
The pieces are there for Notre Dame to build something special on offense in 2026. A returning quarterback with upside.
A deep, if unproven, backfield. A wide-open competition for playmaker roles.
And a coaching staff with the experience to put it all together.
But there are real questions to answer. How much can Carr grow?
Who steps up in the red zone? Can the line and backs keep the run game humming?
Spring ball will start to bring some clarity, but make no mistake-this offseason is a defining one for Freeman, Denbrock, and the future of Notre Dame’s offense.