According to ESPN Insider Adam Schefter, the Chicago Bears recently inquired about trading for Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Pittsburgh shut down Chicago’s inquiries regarding Tomlin’s status. The Chicago Bears were not the only team to call the Steelers to gauge their interest in moving on from Tomlin. The Super Bowl-winning head coach has a no-trade clause as the team reinforced their commitment to Tomlin.
Tomlin has seemingly been on the hot seat the last few seasons as Pittsburgh has not had playoff success. He is 0-6 in his last 6 playoff games, and the Pittsburgh Steelers faltered down the stretch this year losing their final five games. They finished the year being dominated by the Baltimore Ravens 28-14 in the AFC Wild Card Round. Who will the Chicago Bears hire to be their next head coach?
Chicago Bears Coaching Search
The Bears recently called the Steelers to see if they would be allowed to talk to and potentially try to trade for longtime head coach Mike Tomlin, only to have Pittsburgh rebuff their inquiry, league sources told ESPN.https://t.co/MviaUsBrjG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 18, 2025
Following a disappointing season, the Chicago Bears are in the market for a head coach this offseason. According to Fox Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, Chicago’s search is down to two candidates. Those candidates are Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson and former Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy.
With this report, Chicago is pivoting toward an offensive bend for its franchise. The Bears have never been known for being offensively innovative. Hiring either Johnson or McCarthy would be a welcome departure for the franchise. With that being said, there is an obvious choice for the franchise. Chicago has been a rudderless team for decades, and McCarty would help get them back on track. He is a championship coach that would instill a culture for the team. Johnson would be a first-time head coach and the Chicago Bears should not take a risk on an unknown commodity.
Final Thoughts
The Steelers rebuffing any trade talk surrounding Tomlin is not surprising. Both he and the franchise have expressed their commitment to the other following a disappointing few seasons. Chicago has also narrowed down its search and has two great candidates to be their next head coach. McCarthy and Johnson will be great options for the franchise, but McCarthy is the better hire for the Chicago Bears.
