The Bears just lately referred to as the Steelers to see whether or not they could be allowed to speak to and probably attempt to commerce for longtime head coach Mike Tomlin, solely to have Pittsburgh rebuff their inquiry, league sources informed ESPN.
Discussions by no means made it to Tomlin, neither is it probably they might they’ve been profitable even when they did. When requested earlier this week about the concept a staff may inquire about his availability — when in actual fact at the least one staff already had — Tomlin responded: “Save your time.”
At least one different staff apart from the Bears checked into the concept it may by some means may attempt to commerce for Tomlin, solely to be told that the Steelers coach has a no-trade clause in his contract, in response to a league supply. The inquiring staff shortly halted its efforts and moved on, in response to sources.
Though different groups have been all for Tomlin, the Steelers have little interest in transferring on from him, regardless of Pittsburgh’s fifth consecutive one-and-done journey to the playoffs.
Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension final offseason that makes him one of many league’s highest-paid head coaches. After 18 seasons in Pittsburgh, his time there exhibits no indicators of letting up, regardless of any frustrations from the fan base.
“I perceive the character of what it’s that we do, the eye and criticism that comes with it,” Tomlin mentioned Tuesday in his season-ending information convention. “As a matter of truth, I embrace it, to be fairly trustworthy with you. I benefit from the urgency that comes with what I do and what we do.
“I do not make excuses for failure. I personal it, however I additionally really feel like I’m succesful and so so long as I’m afforded a possibility to do this, I’ll proceed. But I definitely perceive their frustrations, and possibly extra essential than that, I share it as a result of that is how I’m wired.”
But within the eyes of some sources, Chicago deserves credit score for at the least making the decision. The Bears acknowledged the kind of chief and coach Tomlin is, and in an effort to exhaust all prospects, they reached out to the Steelers.
Even with out Tomlin within the combine, the Bears have forged a large web of their head teaching search.
The Bears have already got accomplished head teaching 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 present Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
The Bears even have 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 solely three head coaches since 1969: Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Tomlin, who turns 53 in March. Tomlin has by no means had a shedding season in Pittsburgh and is the second-winningest coach in franchise historical past, behind solely Noll, with a profession file of 183-107-2.
