The Chicago Bears are one step closer with their plans to building a stadium in Northwest Indiana after their board of directors voted to proceed with the stadium project. 

The Chairman, George H McCaskey, and the President & CEO, Kevin Warren, of the Bears confirmed the news with their joint statement on X on Friday. 

“Yesterday, the Chicago Bears Board of Directors met and voted to advance our stadium development project in Hammond, with the exact site to be selected,” said McCaskey and Warren. 

Per Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today Sports, this move by the Bears comes four days after the franchise said that they are on a “late spring/early summer” timeline to decide possible stadium locations in Hammond or Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Their statement further said, “We believe a world-class project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city.”

Elyssa Kaufman of CBS Chicago reported that Indiana Governor Mike Braun responded to the Bears’ statement positively and asked the Hoosiers to join him in welcoming the Bears. 

“We look forward to building a partnership as strong as the ‘85 Bears defense, creating opportunities and economic growth that will benefit our state and the Bears organization for decades to come,” said Governor Braun.

Braun concluded by saying that having an NFL franchise in Northwest Indiana will be an economic boost to the entire region in a way never seen before. 

However, many fans have objected to the Bears' move away from Chicago to Indiana, calling it an "absolute failure" on the Chicago government's end.

NFL Fans Critique The Bears for Shifting Their Stadium Location

Fans not supportive of the Chicago Bears’ move voiced their opinions under the Bears’ post on X about McCaskey-Warren's statement. Several fans blamed Chicago's mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois governor JB Pritzker for the Bears’ move. 

A fan commented, “What an absolute failure by Brandon Johnson and JB Pritzker. Can’t believe this is happening.”

Mayor Johnson said that the Bears announcement is “not surprising” and added that discussions will continue with the city's best interests in mind. 

“Nice job Pritzker. You had one job. Thanks for letting the Bears go. It will be remembered at election time,” added another fan.

One X user dubbed the Chicago team "Indiana Bears" to express how betrayed they felt with the franchise owners' decision.

“Yikes, Indiana Bears because your cheap a** owners can’t stay in the city. They should ask advice from Wrigley owners, they seem to be ok, seeing how the stadium has been there for over 100 years,” commented the fan.

Another fan was disappointed with this move and refused to accept Indiana as the potential site, which is almost 30 miles away from Chicago. 

“Never watching a game again. Indiana is not Chicagoland. Ask any person from Chicago. If you are outside the city limits, you are not from Chicago. You can claim Chicago all you want. **** the Bears!”

Another fan commented how it felt like a betrayal that a team that has been an essential part of the region's heritage and community was moving to Hammond, calling it "a disgrace."

"@ChicagoBears Moving the CHICAGO Bears toward Hammond, IN is: Not a bold move. Not a smart business play. A disgrace. The Bears were built on Chicago history, Chicago loyalty, Chicago toughness, & Chicago families passing this team down for generations... If the Bears leave Chicago, the name becomes a costume. The Chicago Bears belong in Chicago. Anything else is betrayal," said the fan.

A user wrapped up their feelings on the move and simply commented, “You just lost a season ticket holder!”

With the site not yet confirmed and the Mayor saying that they’ll continue to engage in discussions, the Bears still have time to evaluate the move that has got fans across the NFL fuming.

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit