Following the midseason dismissal of Matt Eberflus, the Chicago Bears embarked on a comprehensive search for a new head coach. Their exploration, as reported by ESPN, included a surprising inquiry into the availability of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. The Bears reportedly contacted the Steelers to gauge the possibility of a trade, a request swiftly declined by Pittsburgh. These discussions apparently never reached Tomlin, who has publicly dismissed such speculation. His contract reportedly contains a no-trade clause.

This interest in Tomlin comes despite the Steelers' 10-7 regular season record, a mark that preserved Tomlin's impressive streak of never having a losing season. However, the Steelers ended the regular season with a four-game skid and were eliminated by the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round, extending their playoff win drought to eight years.

Meanwhile, the Bears' coaching search has involved interviews with a range of candidates, including Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, a highly sought-after prospect in this hiring cycle. Other interviewees include Arthur Smith, Brian Flores, Mike McCarthy, Pete Carroll, and others. The new coach will inherit a roster with promising talent, including quarterback Caleb Williams, the top pick in the 2024 NFL draft, wide receivers Rome Odunze and DJ Moore, two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.