If the Pittsburgh Steelers decide to part ways with head coach Mike Tomlin, they could have the option of actually getting something in return. According to the latest reports, the Chicago Bears could have interest in trading for the veteran tactician.
Nonetheless, the Bears are not the only team who could make a move for Tomlin, with the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers mentioned as potential suitors as well, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
“There has been chatter that perhaps the Steelers would consider trading Tomlin to Washington, Chicago or even Carolina to get back some picks,” Russini reported.
The Bears last made the playoffs in 2020, but they really haven’t had much success over the last decade. From 2011 to 2020, they only made the postseason once (back in 2018). With a talented quarterback like Justin Fields, it’s not a surprise why they want a coach with Super Bowl experience and extensive playoff history.
Will the Pittsburgh Steelers Trade Mike Tomlin?
Now, it is important to note that it’s unknown if there’s anything substantial in the chatter about a potential Tomlin trade. The words “would consider trading” don’t really reveal whether there’s a legitimate interest from the aforementioned teams or not.
It is worth noting, however, that it’s not the first time Mike Tomlin’s name has been mentioned in a possible trade for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Recently, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk also floated the idea that another team could call Pittsburgh and inquire about the veteran head coach.
“For the first time since Tomlin became the coach of the team in early 2007, it feels like a divorce is coming. And it’s not that the Steelers would fire Tomlin. If a split occurs, it will happen either because Tomlin wants out — or because another team looking for a new head coach (Commanders, e.g.) calls the Steelers to initiate the process for essentially pulling off a trade,” Florio wrote.
Several Steelers fans want Tomlin gone. Prior to the team’s epic Week 16 win against the Cincinnati Bengals, the storylines surrounding the team have been mostly about the supporters’ demand to fire the veteran head coach.
If the Steelers listen to the fan base and decide to move on from the man who has led the team since 2007, it will definitely be interesting to see if they will opt to trade him instead and what they would ask for in return. Tomlin only has one season left on his contract after 2023, so that’s something to keep an eye on as well.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Is One of the Most Popular Coaches
For what it’s worth, it’s not shocking why many teams are interested in Mike Tomlin. He’s one of the most popular coaches in the NFL today, and a lot of players have expressed desire to play for him.
In a poll conducted by The Athletic last November, Tomlin was voted as the favorite coach that players would want to play for aside from their current coaches. That speaks volumes of how much Tomlin is respected around NFL circles.
While it’s understandable why many fans would want Tomlin out considering their lack of Super Bowl success over the years, the fact remains that the 51-year-old is still one of the better coaches in the league right now.
For More Of My Content
For More Of My Content Follow me on Twitter at @BeatKit22. You may also reach out to me personally at kitguinhawa@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and NFL news, click here!