Through the first decade of the 2000s, Pittsburgh looked like a juggernaut, melding youthful exuberance with rugged experience to create a side capable of making deep runs in the playoffs. The Steelers won two Super Bowl titles, in 2005 and in 2008 (Tomlin's second year at the helm).

In an attempt to widen their search for a head coach, the Chicago Bears called the Pittsburgh Steelers to inquire about Mike Tomlin's availability to see if they could talk and try to trade for him, ESPN.