The Club Hits Reset
The Chicago Bears Board of Directors voted Thursday to advance a plan for a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, moving the franchise closer to leaving Illinois after more than 100 years.
It's the first time in Bears history that the board has voted on a stadium site. One source told ESPN's Adam Schefter there's more work to do, but called it essentially a done deal. A league source told ESPN's Courtney Cronin that Indiana is currently in the lead, though Illinois can still re-enter the competition.
Hammond sits roughly 25 miles from Soldier Field and just across the Indiana-Illinois border. The move would take the Bears to a state that already hosts the Indianapolis Colts.
The Timing Says Plenty
The franchise's journey to this point has been winding. Ahead of the 2025 season opener, ownership sent a letter to fans saying the team intended to leave Soldier Field—the oldest NFL stadium still in use—for Arlington Heights, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago. The Bears had agreed to purchase the 326-acre Arlington International Racecourse property for $197 million in 2021 and finalized the buy in 2023.
But by December, the tone had shifted. "Stable timelines are critical, as are predictable processes and elected leaders who share a sense of urgency," Warren wrote, noting the project would not be a priority in 2026 under current state leadership. The letter also introduced the Northwest Indiana idea for the first time.
Earlier this week, the Illinois Senate passed a last-minute bill allowing cities in Cook County with more than 70,000 people—including Arlington Heights and Chicago—to create their own stadium authorities. State Senator Bill Cunningham's proposal would have let the Bears own the stadium while leasing it back from the city, avoiding property taxes. The Illinois House adjourned without voting on the measure.
The Next Hire Matters
The Bears' lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033, though the team can buy its way out, per the Chicago Tribune. The franchise opened as the Decatur Staleys in 1920 and has played at Soldier Field since 1971.