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. "We want to make sure that Arlington Heights and Illinois have an opportunity, as well as Indiana, to put their best foot forward," Goodell said. He described his involvement as standard for major stadium projects, noting, "It's not unusual for me to be involved in conversations with either public officials or others, or our staff. They're important decisions not just for the communities or the team, but the NFL."

Goodell's remarks follow a period where Bears President Kevin Warren had focused public comments on the team's due diligence in Indiana, specifically on sites in Hammond. The team owns 326...