Sources – Bears trade request for Mike Tomlin rejected by Steelers

The Bears recently called the Steelers to see if they would be allowed to talk with and potentially attempt a trade for longtime head coach Mike Tomlin, only to have Pittsburgh reject their approach, league sources told ESPN.

The discussions never reached Tomlin, nor is it likely that they would have been successful even if they had. When asked earlier this week about the idea of ​​a team inquiring about his availability — when in fact at least one team already had — Tomlin replied, “Save your time.”

At least one other team besides the Bears checked into the idea that it could somehow try to trade for Tomlin, only to be informed that the Steelers coach has a no-trade clause in his contract, according to a league source. The inquiry team quickly halted its efforts and moved on, according to sources.

Although other teams have been interested in Tomlin, the Steelers have no interest in moving on from him, despite Pittsburgh’s fifth one-and-done trip to the playoffs in a row.

Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension last season, making him one of the league’s highest-paid head coaches. After 18 seasons in Pittsburgh, his time there shows no signs of letting up, despite any frustrations from the fan base.

“I understand the nature of what we’re doing, the attention and criticism that comes with it,” Tomlin said Tuesday at his season-ending news conference. “I actually embrace it, to be completely 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 that I’m capable of it, and as long as I have the opportunity to do so, I will continue. But I certainly understand their frustrations, and probably more important than that, I share it because that’s how I’m connected.”

But in the eyes of some sources, Chicago deserves credit for at least calling. The Bears recognized the type of leader and coach Tomlin is, and in an effort to exhaust all options, they reached out to the Steelers.

Even without Tomlin in the mix, the Bears have cast a wide net in their head coaching search.

The Bears have already conducted head coaching interviews with interim head coach Thomas Brown, former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, former Commanders head coach Ron Rivera, former Stanford head coach David Shaw, former Titans and current Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.

The Bears have also requested interviews with Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich.

The Steelers have had only three head coaches since 1969: Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Tomlin, who turns 53 in March. Tomlin has never had 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.