The Chicago Bears recently contacted the Pittsburgh Steelers to inquire about the possibility of trading for longtime head coach Mike Tomlin, but the team quickly rebuffed the inquiry, according to ESPN.
Discussions never advanced to the point of speaking with Tomlin himself, and even if they had, it’s unlikely they would have been successful. When asked earlier this week about the notion that a team could inquire about his availability, Tomlin firmly responded, “Save your time.”
In addition to the Bears, at least one other team reportedly explored the idea of pursuing Tomlin but was informed that the Steelers head coach has a no-trade clause in his contract, per ESPN. After this information was conveyed, the inquiring team ceased their efforts.
Despite some external interest in Tomlin, the Steelers have no intentions of parting ways with their head coach, even after Pittsburgh’s fifth consecutive one-and-done playoff appearance. Tomlin signed a three-year extension last offseason, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL. His tenure with the Steelers, spanning 18 seasons, continues with no signs of slowing down despite any external frustrations from fans.
“I understand the nature of what it is that we do, the attention and criticism that comes with it,” Tomlin said in his season-ending press conference. “As a matter of fact, I embrace it, to be quite honest with you. I enjoy the urgency that comes with what I do and what we do. I don’t make excuses for failure. I own it, but I also feel like I’m capable and so as long as I’m afforded an opportunity to do that, I will continue. But I certainly understand their frustrations and probably more important than that, I share it because that’s how I’m wired.”
While Tomlin remains off the market, the Chicago Bears have already interviewed several candidates as they continue their search. Interviews have been conducted with interim head coach Thomas Brown, former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, and a host of top coordinators, including Brian Flores (Vikings), Aaron Glenn (Lions), and Mike Kafka (Giants), among others.
The Steelers have had only three head coaches since 1969, including Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin. Under his leadership, Pittsburgh has never experienced a losing season, and Tomlin is the second-winning coach in the franchise’s history, with a career record of 183-107-2.
