The Chicago Bears recently made an inquiry to the Pittsburgh Steelers regarding the availability of head coach Mike Tomlin, but were ultimately denied, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. In their search for a new head coach, the Bears have engaged in discussions with over a dozen potential candidates following the conclusion of the regular season. General manager Ryan Poles expressed a commitment to exploring different options in their quest to secure the team’s next leader. During a press conference at the end of the season focused on the head-coaching search, Poles stated, “We’ll explore all possibilities to bring the best coach on board.”
According to Schefter, the Bears were not the only team to express interest in Tomlin. Another organization also reached out to the Steelers inquiring about Tomlin’s availability, only to receive a similar response due to Tomlin reportedly having a no-trade clause in his contract.
The exact timing of the Bears’ inquiry remains uncertain. Recently, Tomlin was questioned about the potential of other NFL teams seeking his services, to which he succinctly replied, “Save your time.”
While the Steelers have faced criticism from their fan base due to a lack of recent playoff success, Tomlin’s extension of three years signed in June, coupled with the organization’s longstanding stability in the head-coaching position—having had only three individuals at the helm since 1969—suggests that a change in head coach is improbable.
Among the names the Bears have engaged with is Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. Johnson’s candidacy may be appealing to quarterback Caleb Williams, who expressed a preference for an “offensive-minded coach” to collaborate and progress with.
As the coaching search continues for the Chicago Bears, the pursuit of the right candidate to lead the team into the future remains a top priority for the organization.
