George McCaskey owner Chicago Bears
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 18: Owner George McCaskey of the Chicago Bears takes pictures with tailgating fans in the parking lot before the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Much as they would rather it focus on the achievements of head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams, the chatter surrounding the Chicago Bears has started to shift towards their proposed stadium move away from Soldier field.
The Athletic reported on February 19 that the chances of the franchise moving their stadium to Indiana has taken a “meaningful step forward” after a proposed bill established the Northwest Indiana State Authority, which will allow the ball to start rolling on the development of the team’s new stadium in the state, moving away from Illnois, where the team have always historically played.
This is hardly encouraging news for Chicago-based Bears fans, who are very unhappy that the team is planning to relocate states. Although the Indiana border is just a 45 minute drive from downtown Chicago, the spiritual significance of a state-change for one of the NFL‘s oldest and most historic franchises cannot be downplayed.
But, in taking to X after co-composing the piece for The Athletic, Dan Wiederer cleared up that the move to Indiana was hardly a done deal, and that the team have not committed to moving there at this point in time.
Dan Wiederer
There is so much erroneous Bears stadium content and discussion bouncing around this hellscape it’s hard to keep track.
Hard and fast: The Bears have not committed to move to Indiana. Any video clip bouncing around discussing it like this is a done deal is wayward.
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“There is so much erroneous Bears stadium content and discussion bouncing around this hellscape it’s hard to keep track.” Wiederer posted on X. “Hard and fast: The Bears have not committed to move to Indiana. Any video clip bouncing around discussing it like this is a done deal is wayward.”
Wiederer also took aim at the general spreading of news on this specific matter, and noted that the state of Illnois can also make a counter-move to entice the team to stay in-state.
“The information pipeline is so filled with sewage.” Wiederer continued. “The team now has cards in its hands that are valuable to play if desired. But Illinois officials have their opportunity to respond now to the gestures from Indiana to lure the Bears across state lines.”
Bears Move to Indiana Not a “Done Deal”
This is not exactly an eruption of good news for Bears fans both in and out of the state, the grand majority of whom will feel strongly about the team remaining in and around the Chicago metropolitan area.
Yet it does point to the fact that whilst some are making out like it’s all but decided, there are still further bureaucratic holes for the Bears to jump through on their stadium construction, regardless of whether it ends up ultimately taking place in Illnois or Indiana.
Illnois will no doubt want to keep Chicago in-house for business and reputational reasons, but if the finances don’t work out, the Bears have very much opened the door for a move to their neighboring state.
Again, the broader report suggests that the move to Indiana is closer to happening than before, but by no means are things close to being set in any form of stone.