In a classic case of 'no thanks,' the Pittsburgh Steelers quickly dismissed the Chicago Bears' request to discuss trading head coach Mike Tomlin, who politely told potential suitors to 'save your time' and never looked back.

As the Bears scramble to replace recently fired head coach Matt Eberflus—with interim Thomas Brown at the helm—they've turned their sights on Tomlin, perhaps confusing NFL coaching with a game of musical chairs. However, the Steelers' swift rejection, citing Tomlin's no-trade clause and his desire to stick around despite recent playoff woes, reinforces the idea that even coaching superstars know when to dodge a friend request.

The Chicago Bears, known for their historic struggles and a current stale coaching situation, thought they would make a splash by inquiring about Mike Tomlin, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers denied the Bears' request to talk to Tomlin, and the inquiry never reached him personally. The Bears must have felt especially bold after firing Matt Eberflus, putting Thomas Brown in the interim coaching role and launching an ambitious search for Eberflus’s successor.

The Steelers acted swiftly and decisively, denying the Bears' request to talk with Tomlin. Sources suggest that the inquiry never reached Tomlin personally. One could argue that Tomlin, with 18 seasons under his belt and a career record of 183-107-2, has done enough in Pittsburgh to deserve more than a curious call from a team that just fired its coach.

Indeed, this might be a classic example of what happens when a team’s desperation leads it to consider options that are all but impossible. Tomlin’s stated desire to remain in Pittsburgh reinforces that he isn’t looking for greener pastures. In a world where defenders shut down potential trade discussions quicker than a bouncer at a club, Tomlin's comments about telling inquiring teams to 'save your time’ seem particularly apt. After all, why would anyone leave a job where they are valued and have a proven record simply to jump ship into an uncertain sea with a rushing tide of ineffectiveness?

As the Steelers continue to rebound from their recent playoff eliminations—an unfortunate streak that's seen them miss the playoffs for eight years with no playoff wins—Tomlin's steadfastness in his position remains commendable. It speaks to a level of loyalty that seems increasingly rare in sports today. Meanwhile, the Bears find themselves in a self-imposed predicament leading a dumpster fire of coaching searches while their rival looks on, maybe bemusedly, as they attempt what feels like an impossible maneuver. Strange strategies to secure a head coach and develop future guiding lights like Caleb Williams as the number one pick in the 2024 draft appear to have some unintended consequences.

In fact, the Bears' current strategy could be seen as panning for gold in a mud-pit, but hope springs eternal. They have started interviewing multiple candidates as part of this lengthy search. If history serves as a guide, there’s a chance they may find someone who can lead them out of the wilderness. After all, Tomlin is not just any coach; he’s a coaching stalwart—think more along the lines of a sturdy oak tree rather than a flimsy straw hut the Bears have left behind.

So what's next for Chicago? Will they dive back into the coaching pool with the enthusiasm of a child on a summer day, splashing around looking for a perfect fit or will they tread carefully, perhaps deciding that this time they’d prefer a deep dive over a belly flop? John Carpenter, having orchestrated talented roles over the years, is now faced not with horror film actors but instead with a version of the suspense genre that centers on football. As Tomlin continues his journey with the Steelers, GMs across the NFL will watch the unfolding drama with a sprinkling of popcorn—and a mild chuckle.

For now, the Bears might want to take a breather. As the Pittsburgh Steelers denied their request to speak with head coach Mike Tomlin, it may be time for Chicago to sift through their list of potential head coaching candidates, knowing that they need to focus on viable options. The end of this coaching saga may still be a few yards away, but the Bears might want to remember, the playbook is only as good as the players willing to act on it.