Chicago Bears inquired about trading for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin but Pittsburgh said no, per report

The Chicago Bears have interviewed some experienced names during their coaching search, including the likes of Pete Carroll and Mike McCarthy.

But the team also reportedly requested an interview with another Super Bowl-winning head coach.

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Saturday, the Bears called the Pittsburgh Steelers to inquire about the possibility of trading for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers quickly declined the Bears' inquiry, according to Schefter. Tomlin signed a three-year extension with Pittsburgh last year, which keeps him under contract through the 2027 season.

Many across the league have wondered if the relationship between Tomlin and the Steelers is beginning to sour. In 18 years running the Steelers, Tomlin has a 183-107-2 regular season record. His teams have never won fewer than eight games in a season. They’ve reached the postseason 12 times.

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But it has been a long time since the Steelers have had postseason success. The Steelers won the Super Bowl in 2008 and reached the big game again in 2010, but they currently haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. Each of their last five postseason trips, including this season, have ended with a loss in their first playoff game.

The Bears have interviewed more than a dozen head coach candidates. The team has confirmed interviews with 14 candidates. But their net appears to have been cast even wider.

General manager Ryan Poles promised that “we’re turning every stone to make sure we’re doing this the right way,” when the search began on Jan. 7. Reaching out to the Steelers about Tomlin would certainly indicate that.

Trading for a head coach is not unheard of in the NFL, but it’s a pretty rare occurrence. Only two coaches have been traded in the last decade: Sean Payton from the Saints to the Broncos in 2023, and Bruce Arians from the Cardinals to the Buccaneers in 2019.

We’re turning every stone to make sure we’re doing this the right way."

—  Ryan Poles, Bears general manager

Two of the most famous head coach trades happened two decades ago. The Patriots traded three draft picks to the Jets in exchange for Bill Belichick in 2000. That one obviously worked out well for New England.

The Bucs traded two first-round picks and $8 million to the Raiders in exchange for coach Jon Gruden in 2002. In a dramatic twist, Gruden led the Bucs to a Super Bowl victory over the Raiders during his first season in Tampa Bay.

It would likely cost a lot to trade for a coach like Tomlin, but the Steelers don’t appear interested. Schefter noted that at least one other team has called regarding a trade for Tomlin. He also noted that Tomlin has a no-trade clause in his contract.

During his end-of-season news conference this week, Tomlin was asked what his message was for any teams that might inquire about his availability.

“Save your time,” Tomlin said.

He’s not interested in leaving Pittsburgh.