Latest stadium update hits Bears fans where it hurts the most and it came at the worst possible time
This is the last thing fans in Chicago wanted to hear.
The Chicago Bears are getting ready for their biggest game of the regular season, a rematch against the Green Bay Packers, this time on their home field at Soldier Field this Saturday night.
The implications and magnitude of this game cannot be emphasized enough with playoff positions and the NFC North title hanging in the balance. It’s a massive event for the Bears and their fans with a lot of high hopes for the coming weeks ahead.
Yet, amid all this excitement surrounding the team, the Bears just dropped a bombshell on Wednesday regarding the future stadium plans, and it’s the last thing fans want to hear about.
Latest Chicago Bears stadium plans hint the team could look outside of Illinois entirely
For those that have been following the stadium developments for the Chicago Bears, you understand how frustrating of a process this has been. Under the guidance of team president and CEO Kevin Warren, the Bears had hoped to start developing a state-of-the-art stadium for the team to play at in future seasons, moving away from the iconic Soldier Field.
At first, the Bears explored remaining in the downtown Chicago area and when that plan wasn’t possible, the team looked toward developing purchased land in Arlington Heights. The latest update released by the team this week hints even that might not be possible anymore.
“In addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana,” the statement released by Warren said. “This is not about leverage. We spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County. We invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and rationally decided on Arlington Heights. Our fans deserve a world-class stadium. Our players and coaches deserve a venue that matches the championship standard they strive for every day. With that in mind, our organization must keep every credible pathway open to deliver that future.”
Saying this isn’t a leverage move but making this publicly known ahead of the team’s biggest home game of the season is laughable. Everything about this has been a disaster from the start and the idea of moving the Bears out of Illinois completely is a gut-punch to Chicago natives, and Indiana will absolutely roll out the red carpet for the Bears, unless one of the two sides give in when it comes to the Arlington Heights proposal.
“The Bears have called Chicago home for more than a century,” the statement added. “One certainty is that our commitment to this city will not change. We will continue to provide unwavering support to the community. We need to secure a world-class venue for our passionate fanbase and honor the energy you bring every week. The Chicago Bears are a founding franchise, playing in the oldest and smallest stadium in the NFL. As we move forward, our goal is clear: build a world-class football team that has a world-class stadium worthy of our world-class fans—a stadium that reflects the future we are building together.”
Bears fans, try to keep the focus on Saturday’s game against the Packers
Truthfully, this is the best thing to do regarding this entire situation. Even with this disappointing news, things will likely change again and again and again. That’s how this all works, so until a plan is finally set in motion, just enjoy what’s in front of you and that is Saturday’s game at Soldier Field.
The players need that home field advantage the fans have brought all season long against the Packers and the full support regardless of what’s happening behind the scenes.
“The fanbase coming to life like it has, it means the world to not just me, but the entire building,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said on Monday. “I can’t say enough good things and we’re going to need them again here Saturday night. We’re going to need them out in full force. Green Bay’s gotta feel the power of Chicago.”
And it sounds like a lot more people, beyond the Packers, need to feel the power of Chicago too.
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