The buzz around Matt Eberflus is impossible to ignore at this point. After another 4th quarter collapse, his third in two months, it’s getting harder and harder to defend him. Head coaches typically get three years to prove they can hack it in the NFL. However, this is a unique case for the Chicago Bears. Eberflus hasn’t shown much as a head coach outside his prowess as a defensive playcaller. His situational decision-making and horrible knack to play conservatively with leads are a big reason the Bears are 5-9 instead of 7-7 or 8-6.

This is why rumors persist that team president Kevin Warren, who had no say in hiring him, might be looking at a change. He wants to bring in some of his own people. The obvious question is whether that includes a head coach. Insiders have hinted at it, but none have fully committed yet. Part of that is because the Eberflus evaluation isn’t over yet. Another part is waiting to see how the pool of potential coaching candidates unfolds. A source told SM Warren wants to see if a potential big fish becomes available.

One particular name has had his attention lately.

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The Chicago Bears have fans of Mike Tomlin inside Halas Hall.
The 52-year-old has coached the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2007, leading them to two Super Bowls and a Lombardi trophy in 2008. He’s won seven division titles, made the playoffs ten times, and has never finished with a losing record. It sounds unbelievable that calls are growing for him to be fired. However, there is evidence Steelers players have finally begun tuning him out. They’re making constant mental mistakes, aren’t playing with the effort that has been a trademark of Tomlin’s run, and just lost back-to-back games against two of the worst teams in the NFL. Pittsburgh isn’t known for changing head coaches, having only three since 1969. Still, momentum might be building for Tomlin to finally move on.

According to the source, there are two key factors in the Chicago Bears’ interest in Tomlin outside of his track record. One is George McCaskey and his connection to the Steelers organization. His family has deep ties to the Rooney family, going back to when George Halas was still alive. He has a great respect for them. The other is Warren. He has direct ties to Tomlin. The Bears president was in the Minnesota Vikings front office in 2006, the same year the coach was their defensive coordinator. He’s been a fan of Tomlin for a long time.

It is far from certain that he is going anywhere. However, if the window opens and Tomlin becomes available, it sounds like the Bears are preparing to make a run at him.