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Chicago Bears legendary running back Walter Payton
Chicago Bears fans have been anxiously awaiting for a positive update on the status of the team’s new stadium.
After the update given by team President and CEO Kevin Warren in an open letter to fans on Wednesday, they’ll have to keep waiting. Warren admitted progress on the stadium project has been stalled, and if things continue heading in that direction, the team is considering relocation out of the state of Illinois.
“In addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana,” Warren stated while admitting looking outside of the state of Illinois is “not about leverage.”
Franchise Legend’s Son Weighs In
The Bears leaving the Chicago area, and more specifically Soldier Field, is a move the NFL would ostensibly like to avoid given the franchise’s historical prestige and ties to the area.
But as the standoff continues between the team and the government leaders of Illinois, Jarrett Payton, an Arlington Heights native and the son of Hall of Fame running back and Bears legend Walter Payton, took to social media to sound off on the turmoil the team’s fans are in because of the stadium stalemate between the team and the city.
“I’m exhausted w/ the back-&-forth about the #Bears stadium,” Payton wrote on X. “This team is playing meaningful football, close to clinching a playoff spot, & about to play in one of the biggest games in franchise history. That’s all we should be talking about. The two sides need to figure this out & please leave the fans out of it.”
With head coach Ben Johnson and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams having the Bears at the top of the NFC North and fighting for the top seed in the NFC, the team is likely poised to be a playoff contender for years to come — a factor that should play into the franchise’s favor at the negotiating table.
What Exactly Is the Issue With the Stadium?
GettySoldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears
In his open letter, Warren gave fans a candid look at where the team stands in getting a new stadium built in Arlington Heights, revealing the area was “the only path forward” in Cook Country because of the lack of a viable alternative.
He also disclosed the franchise has not felt a sense of urgency from Illinois leaders, who he says are not acting in good faith.
“[The team has] not asked for state taxpayer dollars to build the stadium at Arlington Park,” Warren wrote. “We asked only for a commitment to essential local infrastructure (roads, utilities, and site improvements) which is more than typical for projects of this size. … We listened to state leadership and relied on their direction and guidance, yet our efforts have been met with no legislative partnership.
“Stable timelines are critical, as are predictable processes and elected leaders, who share a sense of urgency and appreciation for public partnership that projects with this level of impact require. We have not received that sense of urgency or appreciation to date. We have been told directly by State leadership, our project will not be a priority in 2026, despite the benefits it will bring to Illinois.”
Michael Gallagher Michael Gallagher is a sports journalist covering the NFL for Heavy.com. He has more than a decade of experience working for both local and national news outlets covering the NFL, NHL, NBA, WNBA, college football, and MMA. His work has been featured in Newsweek, Yahoo Sports, Fox Sports, Athlon Sports, The Hockey News, the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, and Yardbarker. More about Michael Gallagher
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