Bears GM Poles Doesn't Rule Out Trade for HC amid Mike Tomlin, Kevin O'Connell Rumors

The Chicago Bears are on the hunt for their next head coach, and general manager Ryan Poles hasn't ruled out trading for a head coach.

"We'll look at all avenues to get the best coach here," he said, per ESPN's Courtney Cronin.

Poles' comments come after reports that multiple teams have shown interest in trading for Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and another report that teams could be interested in a trade for Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

The Chicago GM also said the Bears' coaching search could turn some heads this offseason.

"There's going to be some names that you don't expect, that will surprise you," Poles said, per Cronin.

Perhaps O'Connell or Tomlin could be the names Poles is referring to.

With the season the Vikings are having, a majority of NFL teams would likely be willing to trade for O'Connell. Minnesota finished the regular season 14-3, shocking the league with former San Francisco 49ers backup Sam Darnold under center.

Before the season, making the playoffs seemed like a stretch for the Vikings. Now, the idea of Minnesota winning the Super Bowl doesn't sound too crazy.

O'Connell is also heading into the final year of his contract in 2025, which sparked some of the trade conversation as he hasn't inked a new deal with the Vikings.

However, Minnesota made it clear it has no intention of trading O'Connell amid the reports:

As for Tomlin, who wouldn't want the longest-tenured current head coach to lead their team? While his Steelers are far removed from the Super Bowl they won in 2008, he has been a consistent winner and is one of the most respected coaches in the league.

Even if Pittsburgh doesn't end its season with a Super Bowl, the idea of the Steelers trading away a head coach who has been around for 18 years seems a bit absurd.

Perhaps the Bears will have to look to teams other than the Vikings and Steelers to land a coach in a trade this offseason.