The Bears recently called the Steelers to see whether they would be allowed to talk to and potentially try to trade for longtime head coach Mike Tomlin, only to have Pittsburgh rebuff their inquiry, league sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Discussions never made it to Tomlin, nor is it likely they would they have been successful even if they did. When asked earlier this week about the idea that a team could inquire about his availability -- when in fact at least one team already had -- Tomlin responded: "Save your time."

At least one other team besides the Bears checked into the idea that it could somehow could try to trade for Tomlin, only to be informed that the Steelers coach has a no-trade clause in his contract, according to a league source. The inquiring team quickly halted its efforts and moved on, according to sources.

Though other teams have been interested in Tomlin, the Steelers have no interest in moving on from him, despite Pittsburgh's fifth consecutive one-and-done trip to the playoffs.

Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension last offseason that makes him one of the league's highest-paid head coaches. After 18 seasons in Pittsburgh, his time there shows no signs of letting up, despite any frustrations from the fan base.

"I understand the nature of what it is that we do, the attention and criticism that comes with it," Tomlin said Tuesday in his season-ending news conference. "As a matter of fact, I embrace it, to be quite honest with you. I enjoy the urgency that comes with what I do and what we do.

"I don't make excuses for failure. I own it, but I also feel like I'm capable and so as long as I'm afforded an opportunity to do that, I will continue. But I certainly understand their frustrations, and probably more important than that, I share it because that's how I'm wired."

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