Bears ownership may be looking in Indiana for a stadium
A Bold Pitch From Northwest Indiana
The mayor of Hammond, Indiana wants to make a serious play for one of the NFL’s most historic franchises. Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. has publicly stated he would “bend over backwards” to convince the Chicago Bears’ ownership to relocate to Hammond, even saying he would be willing to “knock down buildings” to make room for a new stadium if necessary. Hammond sits less than 30 miles south of downtown Chicago, close enough to remain connected to the Bears’ fan base while offering a clean slate for development.
While no formal proposal has been submitted, the comments signal an aggressive posture from local leadership at a time when the Bears’ stadium future appears increasingly uncertain.
Political Support From Indiana, Resistance in Illinois
McDermott would not be acting alone. Indiana Governor Michael Braun, along with several state legislators, have indicated they would support the construction of a stadium should a credible opportunity arise. That level of political alignment contrasts sharply with the current mood in Illinois, where lawmakers and Governor JB Pritzker have shown little appetite for funding a new Bears venue.
Illinois’ resistance has complicated the Bears’ long-term planning, especially as public funding remains a key component of most modern NFL stadium deals. Indiana’s willingness to engage, even at an early exploratory level, adds a new wrinkle to an already complicated situation.
Arlington Heights Plan Stalls
In February 2023, Bears ownership purchased the Arlington Park racetrack property in Arlington Heights for $197 million. The vision was ambitious: a stadium-village complex that would anchor the franchise for decades. Nearly three years later, little tangible progress has been made. Zoning issues, tax disputes, and political roadblocks have slowed momentum to a crawl.
That lack of progress was reflected in a December 2025 letter from Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren to season-ticket holders, sponsors, and fans. The tone suggested patience was wearing thin.
Kevin Warren Signals a Broader Search
Warren made it clear that Arlington Heights is no longer the sole focus. “Consequently, in addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana,” he wrote. He emphasized the move was not about leverage, but about finding a viable path forward after years of effort in Cook County.
Warren stressed that the Bears’ players, coaches, and fans deserve a world-class stadium that reflects championship ambitions. Keeping “every credible pathway open” was framed as a responsibility, not a threat.
Hammond’s Opportunity and the Bigger Picture
Hammond represents both risk and opportunity. Moving an iconic Chicago franchise across state lines would be seismic, but geography and political support could make Indiana an appealing alternative if Illinois remains stalled. For now, Hammond’s pitch is more posture than proposal, but in an NFL driven by leverage, timelines, and public funding, even bold words can matter.
The Bears’ next move may determine not just where they play, but which state is willing to meet the modern demands of the league.
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Thomas M McDermott Jr.
