Updated June 12, 2026, 12:23 p.m. ET
The Chicago Bears brand isn’t going anywhere after more than a century of existence, even if the franchise will almost certainly relocate to the city’s Illinois or Indiana suburbs in the near future. Budding superstar Caleb Williams, who’s heading into this third season as the Bears‘ quarterback, will quite surely be a fixture wherever the team’s next stadium is but doesn’t seem to have any concerns about a pending move … as long as the groundscrew lines the field properly.
“I’m gonna play wherever there’s 120 by 53⅓ (yards, the dimensions of an NFL field), and it’s marked up with white lines and two end zones,” he told reporters during his news conference on Thursday, June 11, when the Bears wrapped up their mandatory minicamp and offseason program.
“I’m OK with whatever. Whatever decision they make is whatever decision they make. I just want some green and my teammates and coaches and another team out there and fans.”
The rhetoric between the team, Illinois and Chicago has escalated as the Bears signal growing intentions − while using their leverage − to potentially build their next venue in Hammond, Indiana, which is roughly 30 miles south of outmoded Soldier Field, given the welcome mat that has been rolled out and tax breaks on the table. The Bears own 326 acres of land in Arlington Heights, Illinois − roughly 30 miles northwest of downtown Chicago − on the site of the former Arlington International Racecourse. The team views Hammond and Arlington Heights as its only viable options for a new stadium and has publicly ruled out Chicago itself.
Illinois legislature reacts to Bears’ Indiana plans
It’s fair to characterize Indiana as the clubhouse leader to land the team − at least until further progress between the Bears and Illinois legislature materializes. Emanuel Chris Welch, the speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives said last week that, “Illinois has focused on the needs of working families who want relief at the gas pump, at the store, and on their insurance bills − not taxpayer-funded stadiums.”
Welch also noted: “Illinois remains open to ongoing efforts to secure the Bears in Illinois.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker had been hopeful that the General Assembly would pass legislation providing the Bears some of the tax certainty they’ve sought on the stadium project. However the body adjourned its spring session without voting on any proposals. Pritzker has vowed to call a special legislative session if momentum builds to offer the team the financial and infrastructure accommodations it is seeking in Arlington Heights.
“The Bears have built a storied legacy in Illinois for over 100 years but have spent the last six years, and especially the last few months, shifting their position on a stadium location. That has hindered their progress,” Matt Hill, a spokesman for Pritzker, said in a statement last week.
As for his immediate plans, Williams is focusing on improving his accuracy, scoring more points for the reigning NFC North champs’ ascendant offense and, heeding advice of Ben Johnson, trying to “get away from the coaches for the next six weeks.”
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