Tomlin Request by Bears Rejected by Steelers

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One of the best coaches in NFL history, Mike Tomlin has already emphatically stated and made it clear he is not going anywhere and has no interest in another coaching job, but that did not stop the Chicago Bears aggressive pursuit to at least try to inquire about potentially trading for the 52-year-old and 18-year coach.

According to ESPN’s Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers rejected an inquiry from the Bears and talks never even got off the ground to Tomlin.

Schefter went on to state that another unnamed team thought about and investigated potentially trading for Tomlin’s services, but “halted its efforts” upon learning he has a full no-trade clause in his contract.

In the aftermath of the Steelers’ brutal 28-14 loss at the hand of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card game last Saturday on January 11, there were some speculation from fans and analysts alike about whether Tomlin should remain with the organization.

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers had no plans to part ways with Tomlin. That is not what they do.

The Steelers have had only three head coaches since 1969: Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Tomlin, who turns 53 in March. Tomlin has never gone through a losing season in Pittsburgh and is the second-winningest coach in franchise history, behind only Noll, with a career record of 183-107-2.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Tomlin did not bite his tongue and offered a ‘no holds barred’ response when asked about his potential availability via trade.

“Save your time,” he said.

One of the many reasons Tomlin can afford to be so brash and direct about that question is because his contract contains a no-trade clause, so he holds all the cards in any talks even if the Steelers wanted to move him.

The Steelers gave Tomlin even more security with a three-year extension last offseason that runs through the 2027 season. He is the longest-tenured coach in the NFL, having just wrapped up his 18th year in the ‘Steel City’.

“I understand the nature of what it is that we do, the attention and criticism that comes with it,” Tomlin said Tuesday in his season-ending news 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.”

Chicago’s interest in Tomlin is not a big surprise. The franchise is hungry for stability at the head coach position after a lackluster 2024 season that saw Matt Eberflus get fired on November 29 after a 4-8 start.

The Bears would seem like an attractive team for any candidate because of the potential superstardom Caleb Williams possesses after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick out of USC in the 2024 draft.

Even though his rookie season was full of ups and downs, Williams finished with 3,541 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. By comparison, Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields thew for 3,264 yards, 21 touchdowns and six interceptions.

There may come a time in the future when the Steelers and Tomlin decide to part ways, but it is not going to happen this offseason after going 10-7 and making the playoffs for the fourth time in the past five years.