Goodell Says Bears Stadium Search Still a Two-State Contest

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed this week that the Chicago Bears' stadium search remains a two-state contest, with Illinois still a viable option alongside Indiana despite recent signals from the team prioritizing a move across the border. Goodell's comments, made during an owners meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, indicate that negotiations are ongoing and that no final decision has been made. The commissioner stated he has been in contact with Illinois lawmakers and emphasized that the state and the suburb of Arlington Heights deserve a chance to compete.