Day 33 of the Chicago Bears offseason. I woke up today thinking that the US-Canada Olympic Hockey gold medal game was happening, only to realize the game is on Sunday and not Saturday. Phew.
In the latest from the battle between Illinois and Indiana to be the next home site for Bears football, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker asks for clarity from the team regarding what it wants. “The Bears really do need to step up and be public about what it is that they really want,” Pritzker said, via CBS Chicago. “I think the Bears need to make their intentions known. Those intentions could be that they want to continue to talk to both states, but I think they need to clarify that.” No one likes mixed signals, so I understand why the Illinois governor is trying to put pressure on the team to take a firm stance. One thing that is firm: The Bears’ next home won’t be in Chicago’s city limits. (Tribune) On the one hand, that is a bummer. Soldier Field isn’t perfect. Frankly, upgrades, renovations, and modernization of the facility are long overdue. But that property remains prime real estate. So whether the Bears play there or not, you can still do lots of cool stuff with that space. And contrary to a narrative building on social media, there is a lot around the stadium to do and see. There are museums, bars, restaurants, walking paths … I could go on, but I don’t want to spend my Saturday morning listing all of the great things Chicago has to offer. You’re in the middle of downtown in one of the world’s greatest cities. If you can’t find things to do, then you’re not looking hard enough. The latest from the Arlington Heights delegation:On Wednesday, Village Manager Recklaus participated in a highly productive 3-hour meeting in Springfield with representatives of the Illinois Governor’s office, Illinois House and Senate Leadership, and the Chicago Bears. To learn more, visit: t.co/p4ifJq4ZHU pic.twitter.com/vWI1D0D9N0
— ArlingtonHeightsIL (@ArlingtonHtsGov) February 20, 2026 Don’t you love it when negotiating parties discover a newfound sense of urgency? Regardless of where the next stadium is located, the Bears have made it clear (h/t Sun-Times) they are staying at Halas Hall. I’m glad the rumors of moving the practice facility were debunked in short order. This is a bar from SB Nation’s John Wilmes: “Profits only go so far before they start to defeat pride and purpose, and the Bears will be leaving so much of what matters about their franchise behind if they all care about is maximally fleecing a government.” Don’t get me wrong. A private business is entitled to maximize its profits. I don’t have beef with the Bears trying to maximize whatever leverage they have in this stadium situation. However, what feels dirty as heck is that the team is leveraging their hard-working fans (and citizens that live in these areas) to squeeze every penny out of them — all while paving a way to lessen opportunities for them to enjoy the public funds going to a private entity. The Bears raising ticket prices on the paying customer while asking for tax freezes doesn’t sit right with me. There is plenty of discussion about the Bears’ stadium situation in our latest installment of the Bleacher Nation Bears podcast.A NEW BN BEARS PODCAST EPISODE IS HERE: Apple | Spotify | YouTube
I referenced it on the pod, but wanted to give a firmer citation. This report from Stanford in 2015, which cites a former senior economist for the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, shows that the economic boost a football stadium brings to a local economy tends to be overblown. Sigh. All I’ve ever wanted from the Bears is (1) a competitive team that is built to sustain success, (2) affordable ticket prices, concessions, and parking (even though I don’t drive any more, I want it for my friends who do) at a stadium that I can be proud of as a fan, and (3) not to be embarrassed by the Packers twice a year. This is all attainable, mind you. But you need the right minds in charge to make it all happen. At what point do we call Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson in to clean up this mess? After all, he might be the only person at Halas Hall who has the full confidence of this fan base to get something done. Ben Johnson on the sidelines at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images Yeah, sure, why not add this bit of drama to the pile:Is Kevin Warren in hot water? Told Bears owner George McCaskey is livid with his president and CEO for his handling of Thursday’s series of events. What a colossal mess this has turned out to be. That said, Arlington Heights is still very much in the picture.
— George Ofman (@georgeofman) February 21, 2026 I wouldn’t have to work hard to understand why George McCaskey would be frustrated by what is happening here. The idea of moving has been something that has been publicly in the works since 2022. So to see the lack of progress, nearly four years later, must feel discouraging. Again, I don’t think Kevin Warren walked into an ideal situation by inheriting Soldier Field and a plot of land at Arlington Park that he had no hand in purchasing. But he hasn’t made it better. All Warren has done is spend an estimated tens of millions of dollars to get other municipalities involved for the sake fo squeezing a few more dollars out of fans and taxpayers. I love watching Caleb Williams throwback footage:.@CALEBcsw is a fierce competitor indeed ? pic.twitter.com/5ZoFFt6jUi
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) February 20, 2026When the question of the day turned to chaos with @CALEBcsw at the 2024 Combine ?2026 NFL Combine starts Feb. 26 on @nflnetworkStream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/OYmWG78alm
— NFL (@NFL) February 20, 2026 Regardless of where the Bears play in 2031 or whenever this stadium ordeal gets resolved, the 2026 season will be played at Soldier Field. Ben Johnson will be the head coach calling plays with quarterback Caleb Williams pulling the trigger. Joe Thuney will be leading the way along the offensive line, while Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III will be among those making ig plays for the offense. I look forward to what the football season brings.BN BEARS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook | Twitter | BlueSky
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero (via Twitter/X) reports the Dallas Cowboys are parting ways with linebacker Logan Wilson. The 29-year-old linebacker played 15 games last year while splitting time with the Cowboys (7 games) and the Cincinnati Bengals (8). From 2021-24, Wilson averaged 115 tackles (68 solo), nearly four tackles-for-loss, and four quarterback hits. With linebacker being a potential position of need for the Bears this offseason, it will be worth monitoring how that market shakes out. My football brain had been operating under the assumption that Travis Kelce was either returning to the Kansas City Chiefs or retiring. However, Kelce is set to become a free agent. And I suppose there is a non-zero chance he signs elsewhere and finishes his career in a different uniform. But with that being said, it feels like a return to K.C. makes the most sense. ESPN’s Nate Taylor writes about an optimistic Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, who I think has a good feeling about how this will turn out.MORE BEARS FROM BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad-Free | Subscribe to the BN Newsletter
WATCH: Chicago Bears Best Plays From 2025 www.bleachernation.com/bears/2026/0…[image or embed]
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@bn-bears.bsky.social) February 20, 2026 at 2:35 PMSeiya Suzuki Hits the Cubs’ First (Fake) Dinger of 2026 www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2026/02…[image or embed]
— Bleacher Nation (@bleachernation.bsky.social) February 20, 2026 at 6:01 PMSo… IS Jaden Ivey Hurt, Though? t.co/KQq3WVFGv5
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) February 20, 2026Blackhawks Prospect Stanislav Berezhnoy Suspended 20 Games by AHL #blackhawks t.co/pJnErQUslY
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) February 17, 2026Hence then, the article about illinois counters in stadium talks caleb williams throwback footage two pending nfl free agents i m watching and other bears bullets was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Illinois Counters in Stadium Talks, Caleb Williams Throwback Footage, Two Pending NFL Free Agents I’m Watching, and Other Bears Bullets )
Also on site :