In a shocking revelation, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II disclosed that the team had trade discussions with the Chicago Bears regarding head coach Mike Tomlin.
Rooney made the admission during a recent interview, stating that the Steelers were not interested in parting ways with their longtime coach.
“We had some discussions with the Bears, but we weren’t interested in trading Mike,” Rooney said. “He’s been an integral part of our organization for over 15 years, and we value his leadership and expertise.”
The news may come as a surprise to many, given Tomlin’s successful tenure with the Steelers. Since taking over as head coach in 2007, Tomlin has led the team to two Super Bowl victories and has consistently produced winning seasons.
The Bears, on the other hand, have been searching for stability at the head coaching position. They parted ways with former coach Matt Nagy after the 2021 season and hired Matt Eberflus as his replacement.
While the trade talks ultimately went nowhere, the revelation provides insight into the high regard in which Tomlin is held around the NFL.
As for Tomlin’s future with the Steelers, Rooney emphasized that the team is committed to keeping him at the helm.
“Mike is our coach, and we’re happy to have him,” Rooney said. “We’re looking forward to many more successful seasons together.”
