A few weeks ago, during his end-of-year press conference, ESPN reporter Courtney Cronin asked Bears GM Ryan Poles if trading for a head coach was an option. Poles responded, "We'll look at all avenues to get the best coach here."
Early Saturday morning, NFL ESPN Senior Insider Adam Schefter reported that the Bears had inquired about potentially trading for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. This confirms Poles’ statement wasn’t just talk. It raises the question: who else might the Bears consider calling?
One key takeaway from Schefter's report is its implication for the Bears pursuit of top coaching candidate, Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson.
Money Won't Hold the Bears Back
Mike Tomlin's annual salary is around $16 million, making him one of the NFL's highest-paid coaches. If the Bears are open to trading for him, they’re clearly prepared to offer Ben Johnson a significant deal when the time comes. This should reassure Bears fans who feared the team might be frugal during this coaching cycle. It’s rumored that Johnson could command around $15 million per season, and it seems the Bears are willing to pay that amount.
For context, the highest-paid coach in the NFL, Andy Reid of the Chiefs, makes about $20 million annually. Johnson holds considerable power and influence in this coaching cycle, and the Bears are demonstrating their readiness to meet his demands. Perhaps they are also trying to demonstrate their ability to explore other options as a negotiation tactic.
Mike Tomlin earns around $16M annually. This makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL.
— Dave (@dave_bfr) January 18, 2025
If the Bears were open to trading for him, they’re certainly prepared to offer Ben Johnson a big paycheck.
This is good.
Recent Bears Actions:
- Leaked interest in Marcus Freeman
- Hosted Mike McCarthy with a high-profile welcome
- Attempted to trade for Mike Tomlin
These moves might be an effort to gain leverage in negotiations, depending on when the Lions' playoff run ends. Ben Johnson's agent is taking a similar approach. Have you noticed the recent news from Las Vegas? Why wouldn't Johnson's team be open to a bidding war for his services? However, the Bears strategy appears calculated. The best news from the Tomlin inquiry is that the Bears are willing to invest heavily in a head coach, which is a refreshing change for fans.
