The Chicago Bears may be looking for a new head coach after this season.
There are some well-known contenders. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Washington Commanders Eric Bieniemy, and even University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh are all possible candidates if he decides to return to the NFL.
However, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that the Bears may be looking to trade for a head coach.
“[Mike] Tomlin’s contract expires in 2024, and it’s well known the Steelers organization won’t engage in extension talks with players or coaches during the season,” Russini wrote in an email. “So we’ll have to wait and see.” There has been speculation that the Steelers would explore trading Tomlin to Washington, Chicago, or perhaps Carolina in exchange for draft picks.”
That would be a shocking surprise.
Matt Eberflus, the Bears’ current head coach, has fallen short of expectations this season. Several events this season have indicated that Eberflus’ future with the Bears is uncertain. For example, the early resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams, the unsuccessful Chase Claypool experiment, and the termination of running backs coach David Walker.
Not to mention Justin Fields’ lack of quarterback development. Eberflus and his team bear as much responsibility for the obstacles as Fields does. The Bears are 5-9 and have suffered three blown fourth-quarter double-digit leads this season.
It would not be surprising if the Bears removed Eberflus of his duties. Whether the Bears keep him or release him, the choice will be crucial.
Let’s get to the strange aspect of this report. How frequently do head coaches change jobs?
It is not common, but it is also not unusual. The most recent of the NFL’s eight well-known coaching moves occurred last offseason. Sean Payton was acquired by the Denver Broncos in exchange for a first- and third-round pick from the New Orleans Saints.
Three years before, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded Bruce Arians to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a sixth-round pick. The first, and certainly most infamous, transaction occurred in 1970, when the Miami Dolphins transferred a first-round pick to the Baltimore Colts in exchange for Don Shula.
The Bears can certainly afford to spend draft capital on Tomlin. Over the next three seasons, they will have 21 draft picks. Six are scheduled for 2024, eight for 2025, and seven for 2026. Trading choices to the Steelers for Tomlin’s services is a potentially profitable investment.
Tomlin, 51, has been the Steelers’ head coach since 2007. Since then, he has led the Steelers to the playoffs ten times and the Super Bowl twice, winning both times. What’s more, Tomlin has never coached the Steelers in a losing season. Every season since he took over, they’ve finished with a winning record.
The Bears have made the playoffs three times in that span, losing twice in the Wild Card round and once in the NFC championship game in 2010. They’ve only had four winning seasons in those 17 years. During that time, they’ve also had five different head coaches.
Tomlin’s arrival in Chicago should excite Bears supporters. However, according to Russini’s analysis, that is not a likely outcome as of this writing.
“I will continue to share with you that based on my conversations, there still is a good chance Tomlin is the Steelers’ head coach in 2024,” Russini said in a statement.
Before seriously considering Tomlin, the Bears must first decide to fire Eberflus. Are they ready to appoint another head coach two years after the last one?
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