While Chicago Bears Chairman George McCaskey and President Kevin Warren were publicly declaring that an Indiana-based stadium site in Hammond was the team’s sole focus, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was chopping it up with Illinois legislators in what looks like the latest attempt to keep the team from leaving the Land of Lincoln for the Hoosier state.
More from Politico’s Shia Kapos:
Bears Chatter: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell continues to be involved in discussions about where the Bears might relocate. A source familiar told me a few select Illinois lawmakers met with Goodell on Thursday.
— Shia Kapos (@ShiaKapos) August 14, 2026 Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Rome Odunze poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsNFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Working to Iron Out Bears Stadium Deal
This is the kind of report that makes it look like the song and dance that is happening with Indiana is nothing more than a leverage play. It is also the kind of report that looks damning for the Bears’ upper management tandem.
Stop and think about it for a moment. If the McCaskey-Warren tandem was truly making progress toward a stadium deal, would it need the NFL commissioner to step in like this? Moreover, it feels telling that Roger Goodell feels the need to do the work that the Bears (1) should be doing and (2) should have done a long time ago. No matter how you slice it, this isn’t a good look for one of the league’s crown jewels.
I find it interesting that Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio hints at the possibility of the Bears finding a middle ground and staying in Chicago. That it came after Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker mentioned Arlington Heights and Chicago when discussing the feasibility of the team staying in Illinois:
Pritzker says the Bears have been in contact with Illinois:“We've had contact our staff, their staff, and we're working hard to make sure that there's an opportunity for the Bears to stay in the state of Illinois, whether it's in Chicago or in Arlington Heights.” t.co/2faZ2Y9YNp pic.twitter.com/FujdzGxCJS
— Ben Szalinski (@BenSzalinski) August 13, 2026One thing I keep coming back to after the McCaskey-Warren press conferences on Thursday is that the league still needs to be swayed before getting the green light to move to Indiana. Remember, the team’s stadium deal needs to be approved by owners around the league. If they can’t get the blessing, then they’re doing a lot of work for nothing. But that is on par with an ownership group that is known to spin its wheels when it comes to making a big decision.
THE BLEACHER NATION BEARS PODCAST: Apple | Spotify | YouTube
Hence then, the article about bears stadium watch nfl commissioner reportedly met privately with illinois lawmakers 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 ( Bears Stadium Watch: NFL Commissioner Reportedly Met Privately With Illinois Lawmakers )
Also on site :