Mike Tomlin, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has expressed his commitment to his current role, dismissing any interest in pursuing another coaching position. Despite this, the Chicago Bears reportedly attempted to explore the possibility of acquiring Tomlin through a trade. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers rejected the Bears' inquiry, and discussions regarding a potential trade never progressed to the level of engaging with Tomlin directly.

In addition to the Bears, Schefter indicated that another unnamed team had shown interest in acquiring Tomlin but ceased their efforts upon discovering that he possesses a no-trade clause in his contract. Following the Steelers' 28-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card game on January 11, questions arose among fans and analysts concerning Tomlin's future with the team. However, as reported by Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers have no intentions of parting ways with Tomlin, who has just completed his 18th season in Pittsburgh, making him the longest-tenured coach in the NFL.

When asked about the possibility of being traded, Tomlin provided a succinct and straightforward response to reporters: "Save your time." His no-trade clause empowers him significantly in any potential discussions, preventing any moves without his consent. The Steelers extended Tomlin's contract for three years last offseason, which will keep him with the team through the 2027 season. Chicago's interest in Tomlin comes in the wake of a tumultuous 2024 season, during which the Bears released head coach Matt Eberflus after a 4-8 start. The Bears are on the lookout for stability, and with the recent selection of Caleb Williams as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, they present an appealing opportunity for prospective head coaches. Although Williams' rookie season was marked by inconsistency, he finished with impressive statistics: 3,541 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, outperforming the Steelers' quarterbacks, who totaled 3,264 yards, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions. While the future holds uncertainty, it seems evident that any separation between Tomlin and the Steelers is not imminent, especially after their 10-7 season that culminated in a playoff berth for the fourth time in five years.