NEWSLETTER
There has long been a feeling of inevitability surrounding the idea of the Chicago Bears leaving for the suburbs.
But until the Bears cross T’s, dot I’s, and finalize the paperwork, nothing is officially official.
Hence, reporting from Friday was that Arlington Park was no longer the sole focus of the Bears’ potential new stadium plan. Suburban Naperville is now in the spotlight as a possible future Bears destination. Flirtation with other cities, suburbs, townships, and local-ish spots is something we should expect. And it might not be the last place tied to rumors regarding a possible Bears move.
Here’s an idea that might drop some jaws: What if the Chicago Bears stayed in Chicago?
Laugh if you must. But just know that those discussions could soon be on the radar:
Well, how about that?
Illinois State Rep. Kam Buckner tells WTTW that he believes the Naperville Bears chatter “opens up a window of hope for those of us who have always felt that we should still be having conversations about finding a deal that makes sense for both the city of Chicago and the Chicago Bears organization.” Buckner offering up that bit of red meat as a part of new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s transition team is awfully juicy. And it isn’t totally out of left field either.
Remember, Johnson was making it known in April that he wants to patch things up with the Bears. Perhaps that was more about saying the right things as the mayor-elect. For me, it felt like Johnson was speaking from the perspective of someone patching holes in a relationship made by someone else. But it is possible there is something here for the Bears and Chicago. Keep in mind that the Bears have a lease with Soldier Field until 2033. They can break it in 2026, but it’ll reportedly come at the cost of $84 million. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot might’ve taken a match and a gas can to that bridge, but her replacement seems open to helping with repairs.
In the end, all the noise about the Bears entertaining Naperville or the emergence of a return to Chicago as a realistic possibility helps team president Kevin Warren create leverage with Arlington Park. Newfound options popping up give Warren the wiggle room he needs to negotiate his way toward getting what he and the team want from a new stadium deal. As for Chicago’s re-emergence as a future home of the Bears, this has potential to be a fun talking point. Soldier Field, as is, is a non-starter. But maybe there is another site around town that Mayor Johnson will propose. Or there could be a refurbished Soldier Field plan that is too good to pass up. In any case, I’m here for any and all Bears stadium rumors. Let’s get weird.
