Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton supports the Chicago Bears potentially moving their home stadium to Hammond, Indiana. Speaking on his podcast, 4th & 1 with Cam Newton, the retired star addressed the controversy surrounding the team’s departure from Chicago. He dismissed the idea that a move would hurt the team’s identity, citing the current situation in the nation’s capital.
Oct 28, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; The Chicago Bears logo is seen prior to a game against the New York Jets at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; The Chicago Bears logo is seen prior to a game against the New York Jets at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Newton noted that the Washington Commanders do not actually play within the borders of Washington D.C. but instead play in Landover, Maryland. He used this example to explain that professional sports teams often choose locations based on financial logic rather than geography.
During the broadcast, Newtonstated, “If you wanna change the location and still call them the Chicago Bears, they are still going to be the Chicago Bears”. He added, “This ain’t the only team that ain’t playing in the actual city that they claim them to be”. He advised fans not to take the potential relocation personally because professional sports are driven by corporate decisions.
The debate over the future of the Chicago Bears intensified in 2026. On February 26, 2026, Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed Senate Bill 27 into law. This legislation created the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to manage the construction of a massive sports complex.
The state of Indiana has offered significant financial incentives to attract the team. This includes a commitment of $1 billion in public funding for a project expected to cost $5 billion in total. The proposed site is located near Wolf Lake, which sits just across the border from Illinois.
Indiana Governor signs bill to lure Chicago Bears to Hammond
The Bears leadership has responded positively to these developments. Following the signing of the Indiana bill, the team released a statement. Itsaid, “Indiana has taken important steps over the last few months, and we are grateful for the leadership reflected by Governor Braun signing SB 27.” The team also noted, “The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date.”
While the Bears look toward Indiana, the Washington Commanders are planning a return to their home city. The team is currently working on a 3.7 billion dollar stadium at the old RFK Stadium site. Groundbreaking is scheduled for later in 2026.
This move will bring the Commanders back to Washington D.C. by the year 2030. For now, however, the team remains in Maryland. Newton believes the Bears should have the same freedom to find the best deal for their future.