Tomlin’s contract features a no-trade clause, and both the head coach and team weren’t interested in a trade
The Chicago Bears recently took a shot and inquired with the Pittsburgh Steelers about the availability of head coach Mike Tomlin only to be turned down, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Seeking a new head coach, the Bears have spoken to over a dozen candidates since the end of the regular season, and general manager Ryan Poles backed up his words earlier this month in trying something different in finding the team’s next leader. During his end-of-season press conference discussing the head-coaching search, he said, “We’ll look at all avenues to get the best coach here.”
According to Schefter, the Bears weren’t the only team to call on Tomlin. Another club reached out to the Steelers and were turned down as Tomlin reportedly has a no-trade clause in his contract.
The timing of the Bears’ inquiry is unclear. Earlier this week, Tomlin was asked about the idea that other NFL teams might call about his availability, and his response was simply, “Save your time.”
The lack of recent playoff success has drawn criticism among Steelers fans, but with Tomlin having signed a three-year extension in June and the organization’s stability in the head-coaching position — three men in charge since 1969 — change at head coach isn’t likely to come.
One candidate the Bears have spoken with is Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. He would likely get a thumbs-up from quarterback Caleb Williams, who said this week he’d like an “offensive-minded guy so I can build with him.”
