The Chicago Bears stadium mess has found a new way to jump the shark.
It began with a stadium project on the Arlington Park property feeling like a certainty. But then came flirtation with other municipalities around the Chicagoland suburbs. That was followed by a brief dalliance with a lakefront stadium in downtown Chicago located on Museum Campus. However, that plan never came to fruition. Hence, focus return to Arlington Park. But in a year where shovels were supposed to be in the ground, nothing has happened. Which brings us to Wednesday’s announcement that the team is exploring the possibility of building a stadium in Northwest Indiana.
No, seriously. Here is the letter from Bears President Kevin Warren:
In a letter to season-ticket holders, #Bears president/CEO Kevin Warren says Illinois state leadership told the team its proposed stadium in Arlington Heights won’t be a priority in 2026. Warren says, consequently, the team will expand its search, including Northwest Indiana. pic.twitter.com/EWTEsriRSv
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 17, 2025Sigh. This fan base has bigger fish to fry during Packers Week.
Bears to explore potential stadium in Northwest Indiana
On the field, the Chicago Bears have so much momentum behind them and going in their favor. They have clinched their first winning season since 2018 and have their first postseason berth since 2020 in their sights. Head Coach Ben Johnson has changed the culture in the locker room and sparked a fanbase that has long been looking for someone to believe in as a coach. Quarterback Caleb Williams is making highlight reel throws on a weekly basis. The rookie class is coming along nicely with a handful of key contributors coming from each day of the 2025 NFL Draft.
And yet, on the business side of things, things continue to be an absolute mess.
I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same.
We have been writing about this Bears stadium project since 2022. Since the team had its Arlington Heights open house in September 2022, the team has had flirtations with Naperville, Aurora, Richton Park, Waukegan, and Chicago. That the team is floating the possibility of a move to Northwest Indiana is isn’t much of a surprise when you consider that this move is just the latest leverage ploy Chicago’s ownership group has when it comes to getting Arlington Heights, Cook County, and the state of Illinois to bend to their requests for certain tax breaks and incentives.
The Tribune has more on this story, including reaction from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s office:
“Suggesting the Bears would move to Indiana is a startling slap in the face to all the beloved and loyal fans who have been rallying around the team during this strong season,” Pritzker spokesman Matt Hill said in a statement to the Tribune. “The governor’s a Bears fan who has always wanted them to stay in Chicago. He has also said that ultimately they are a private business that makes their own decisions, but the governor has also been clear that the bottom line for any private business development should not come at the full expense of taxpayers.”
For what it’s worth, this isn’t even the first time the Bears have tried this move. Back in 1995, the team threatened a move to Indiana before cooler heads prevailed. It makes me wonder what took so long for the team to use this veiled threat in the first place.
At this point, I’m not sure what cards the Bears have left to play. But I do know, based on history, that they will play said cards at the most desperate hour. This is just another example of it happening. In the end, I find myself mildly annoyed by this development. Bears fans want and deserve a new stadium. Something that is a crown jewel of the league. However, a new stadium feels like a distant dream now more than ever.
Dec 14, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
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