NFL’s oldest stadium handed lifeline as Mayor reveals talks to avoid $5bn relocation

All signs point to the Chicago Bears crossing state lines and heading for Hammond, Indiana.

The franchise was deciding between sites in Hammond and Arlington Heights, which took a major hit when the Illinois legislature failed to pass a funding bill.

Getty

Indiana would seem to be in pole position based on the Bears‘ previous statements regarding funding, but Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson insists a third option is in play.

“There’s no plan in Hammond,” he said via the Chicago Sun-Times. “There’s none of that in the suburbs.

“We are already further along than any other site that might even be considered.”

The Bears did consider a new home next to Soldier Field, but moved on to leave the 102-year-old arena facing an uncertain future.

Johnson, however, claims that talks are ongoing.

“Not only did we have a publicly owned stadium that expanded green space, we were moving forward with conversations around the terms of an agreement,” he added. “That’s been ongoing, and the hope is that Springfield, after what they’ve done in this last session, that Springfield engages with the Bears, with the city and all stakeholders collectively, to come up with a plan that shows the viability of what we’ve already put forward.”

Bears on the clock over stadium plans

Johnson insists that the lakefront arena is the only viable option.

“[T]here’s no comparison,” he explained. “There’s no traffic study in Arlington Heights. There’s no environmental study in Hammond. There are no terms of agreement.”

His counterpart in Hammond is expecting a decision by the end of June.

Unsurprisingly, he is predicting a different outcome.

Getty

Getty

“Indiana did what they were asked to do. Illinois couldn’t do what they were asked to do,” Mayor Thomas McDermott said, via Dan Carden of the Northwest Indiana Times. “So I’m confident the Bears are going to choose Hammond.”

Critics have claimed that the site in Hammond is contaminated with toxic waste.

Arlington Heights’ mayor Jim Tinaglia trained as an architect and told the Bears to be wary of the rival location.

Per the Chicago Tribune, the proposed location is surrounded by slag, treated human waste, hazardous waste sites, an oil tank storage complex, and the Midwest’s largest oil refinery.

“I would throw up the red caution flags immediately,” Tinaglia said. “I’ve worked on enough sites with gas stations or dry cleaners or some sort of hazardous material to know it contaminates the ground. I would be very concerned about selecting a site like that.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is keen for a quick resolution to what has been a messy process with three mayors all voicing vastly different opinions.

NFL Stadium Status

On the Move – Why is Roger Goodell allowing three of NFL’s most famous teams to build $8.8bn new homes and ditch diehard fans?

Chicago Bears – NFL’s second-oldest team admits defeat as $5bn relocation from 102-year-old stadium confirmed in statement

Kansas City Chiefs – Chiefs owner issues response as Kansas City’s $4bn cross-state relocation plan hits roadblock

Jacksonville Jaguars – $5.6bn NFL team’s 150-mile relocation triggers unique rule exemption amid CBA conflict

Cleveland Browns – $2.6bn NFL stadium fraught with drama finally makes breakthrough as Super Bowl dream teased

Tennessee Titans – Super Bowl 2030 host is unopened $2.2bn ‘cookie-cutter’ stadium that will be NFL’s smallest

Staying at Soldier Field would be a massive surprise, as would going ahead with the Arlington Heights proposal without public backing.

McDermott is confident in Hammond’s offer after Indiana pulled out all the stops with a generous financial package.

“I think we have a great offer on the table,” he said. “We’re going to offer a superior fan experience.

“It’s going to be an awesome stadium in an awesome location. But the Bears have to huddle and make the determination now whether or not they’re going to make the move to Indiana. In 30 days, we should have an answer.”

Stay up to date on all things NFL across our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET.