The Bears are where we thought they were.
As the 2026 regular season approaches, there's still no clarity as to the location of the team's new stadium.
On Thursday, Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren told reporters that the team's "sole focus" is building a new facility in Hammond, Indiana.
He said that due diligence has proceeded on one site in Hammond, and that they have also discovered another potential site there. He mentioned the possibility of merging the two site, which suggests they are in close proximity, if not adjacent.
The deal is still not done. And the door remains open for Illinois. Still, Warren said there have been "minimal" meetings with Illinois lawmakers since the spring legislative session ended in March, and no progress on a solution in the team's current home state.
Although he has previously ruled out a new stadium in Chicago, Warren didn't slam the door on it today.
Warren continues to insist that the time is now to get something going. He said the projected cost of a new stadium is increasing by $150 million per year.
So what happens next? That remains to be seen. At some point, however, the Bears may decide that the perceived bluff of crossing the border may be the only viable option.
When would ground be broken on a new stadium? Warren said that his wife has told him to stop giving projected dates.
Regardless, the clock is ticking for everyone. For Illinois, for Indiana, and for the Bears. And it's up to Illinois at this point to slow the momentum that is supposedly building for Indiana having a second NFL franchise, to go along with the Colts.
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