Fears 105-year-old NFL franchise will change name as viral report sparks frenzy: ‘I’d be sick’

A viral report has claimed that the Chicago Bears will leave more than Soldier Field behind when relocating to a new stadium.

Hammond, Indiana, is the frontrunner for a new $4 billion dome, with a decision expected in September.

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Indiana lawmakers threw $1 billion at the Bears to try and secure the deal, and self-described “most plugged-in Chicago Bears analyst” Ben Devine says the state has convinced the team to throw away 105 years of history.

“A finalized stadium deal is expected tomorrow with the Chicago Bears landing in Indiana. Per source, Indiana is so heavily incentivizing the deal as to include a name change with “Indiana” in the team name when the stadium is completed,” he wrote in a social media post that has over 4 million views at the time of writing.

“If the Bears really change their name to Indiana Bears, I’d be sick,” noted one fan. “Have the stadium in Indiana but don’t you dare change Chicago. NFL likely won’t let that happen either imo. Interesting stuff here if true.”

Devine replied: “I’ve said repeatedly there’s no way they change the name. Some deeper pockets were at work here and the Bears couldn’t refuse, I guess.”

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The rebuttals flew in quickly.

“I don’t buy for a second that the Bears would ever take Chicago out of their name. Not one bit,” PFN’s Jacob Infante wrote.

“The Indiana governor said himself it would be a dumb idea,” he added. “And agreed, changing the name of a founding franchise, even if it’s something like “Chicago Bears of Indiana” or some s*** is still illogical.”

“Holy fake news… this is 100% false information. They wouldn’t change the name in a million years,” roared a Bears fan.

“I love ya Ben but I don’t buy the name change for a second. There would be legitimate protests that just can’t happen,” another said.

“You can’t post sh** like this and not have a source,” a third responded.

Bears making stadium statement Thursday

The Score’s Bears beat reporter Chris Emma confirmed that a statement is expected Thursday.

“Bears president/CEO Kevin Warren and George McCaskey are set to address the latest on the stadium project in a media session tomorrow afternoon. The focus remains in Northwest Indiana as the team advances its potential plans there,” he wrote.

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Illinois politics reporter Brenden Moore says talk of a deal being announced is premature.

He posted: “Just to level set expectations: I spoke to a source close to the Bears earlier today who stressed that ‘it’s not some major announcement’ they’ll be making tomorrow. ‘Right now, it’s like a 10 in terms of what people think is coming, and it should be at about a three.'”

It does look like the Bears will be leaving Illinois, but until we get official confirmation anything is possible.

Due diligence is being conducted on a site in Hammond with environmental testing looking to confirm if the land can support a domed stadium.

Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. is confident that his city is the only potential venue being explored.

“In other words, all is going well, and progress is being made,” he added. “The Bears are totally focused on Hammond only.

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“There is no other serious discussion about any other possibility for a stadium site other than Hammond, Indiana.”

The New York Giants and Jets play in New Jersey, while the Washington Commanders play in Maryland — for now at least. Take this one with a pinch of salt.