Bears 2026

[Muda69]

Bringing in the Big Guns:  Roger Goodell provides latest twist in Bears' Hammond stadium saga

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2026/08/26/bears-stadium-roger-goodell-meets-with-illinois-lawmakers-as-bears-weigh-hammond-move/91484315007/

Quote

Roger Goodell confirmed that he recently met with select lawmakers in Illinois to help in efforts for the Chicago Bears to finalize plans to build a new stadium.

Yet the NFL Commissioner offered no clues about whether those meetings indicated that the Bears – who have a standing offer to move to a site in Hammond, Indiana – are any closer to closing the door on the chance of building in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where the team also owns land.

Of course, this decision was expected to be finalized weeks ago, but an Illinois bill that could incentivize the Bears to move to Arlington Heights has yet to make it to the floor for a vote that could determine the team’s course of action.

So, when?

“There’s no specific timetable from my standpoint, other than we know that they are looking at the alternate groups, Indiana or Arlington Heights,” Goodell told reporters on Weafter team owners met at an airport hotel. “We want to make sure that Arlington Heights and Illinois have an opportunity, as well as Indiana, to put their best foot forward.”

Goodell’s meeting with lawmakers seems significant, yet he downplayed that involvement and characterized it as a normal part of NFL business.

“I’m involved in a lot of stadium efforts,” he said. “It’s not unusual for me to be involved in conversations with either public officials or others. Or our staff. There are important decisions, not just for the communities but for teams and the NFL. So these are important things for us.”

And even though Bears chairman George McCaskey and team president Kevin Warren have recently reiterated publicly that they are focused on the project to move the team to Northwest Indiana, there are no shovels in the ground yet – especially with the team and league continuing to dance in Illinois.

Meh, Mr. Goodell is interested in the new stadium primarily from a "can it host a Super Bowl?" perspective.  And since  this will be for a major market team it will have to have certain things, like a dome or retractable roof.   

That is why the new stadium boondoggle in Buffalo was able to be built without a dome or retractable roof.  Buffalo is too small a market to ever host a Super Bowl. 

[Boilernation]

Zavion Thomas' Best Plays from a 179-yard game against Tennessee Titans | 2026 Preseason Week 3

Edited August 30 by Boilernation

[Boilernation]

 

[Boilernation]

 

[Bobref]

Really feel bad for the Packers. No Micah Parsons until probably week 6, which would mean he misses the first Bears game. Josh Jacobs on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, with no timetable for his return. Very sad.

Which is more likely, Packers finish first in the Division … or last?

[Boilernation]

On 8/31/2026 at 7:54 PM, Bobref said:

Really feel bad for the Packers. No Micah Parsons until probably week 6, which would mean he misses the first Bears game. Josh Jacobs on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, with no timetable for his return. Very sad.

Which is more likely, Packers finish first in the Division … or last?

I will go with last. Screw 'em. Can't wait for that first Bears / Packers game this year. 

[Coach Nowlin]

CLEAR that Poles and Johnson are done with #6.    Their hands are tied.   He earned his extension;    IMPOSSIBLE to know how a player will react to an injury especially after they got their guaranteed money.    

Me thinks,  Mr. Gordon does not want to play for an organization that prioritizes physical camps.   

[Boilernation]

On 9/2/2026 at 10:21 AM, Coach Nowlin said:

CLEAR that Poles and Johnson are done with #6.    Their hands are tied.   He earned his extension;    IMPOSSIBLE to know how a player will react to an injury especially after they got their guaranteed money.    

Me thinks,  Mr. Gordon does not want to play for an organization that prioritizes physical camps.   

Odd situation. Now he's left Halas Hall and is rehabbing with his personal trainer. Seems like a last ditch effort for him. Ian Rapoport's update yesterday alludes to Gordon being back with the Bears in a few weeks. I guess we'll see. He's not eligible to play until Week 5, so he has plenty of time to heal and be ready. 

Edited September 10 by Boilernation

[Boilernation]

Seeing Ozzy listed as LT #2 along with Ben's comments regarding his recovery gives me hope he'll be back much sooner than anticipated. I'm not looking forward to watching Jones at LT on Sunday.

[Bobref]

That TD throw to Kmet was absolutely sick! Who does that?

[Coach Nowlin]

20 hours ago, Bobref said:

That TD throw to Kmet was absolutely sick! Who does that?

A Superstar who was unfairly casted coming in as a prima Dona, finger painting, non leader crybaby 

 

[Boilernation]

On 9/13/2026 at 1:53 PM, Bobref said:

That TD throw to Kmet was absolutely sick! Who does that?

Beautiful throw. Beautiful catch.

[Boilernation]

3 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said:

A Superstar who was unfairly casted coming in as a prima Dona, finger painting, non leader crybaby 

 

lol...he is the complete opposite as how he was painted, no pun intended. Wants to be coached. Wants perfection. I think he and Ben are a very good match. Did you see Caleb ripping into someone on the sideline? Didn't matter to him that the offense was putting up video game numbers. 

 

 

8TD's and 0 for Odunze, Burden or Loveland. A LOT of weapons.

[Coach Nowlin]

7 hours ago, Boilernation said:

lol...he is the complete opposite as how he was painted, no pun intended.

And go back to earlier threads where folks opined that he should not of gotten on players his rookie year for leaving the locker room a mess.......      

SHOCKING that the ALGO and lazy narratives that get spread around for clicks and engagements tell a story that is not rooted in facts ...     PRETENDS TO BE SHOCKED 

[Coach Nowlin]

7 hours ago, Boilernation said:

 Wants to be coached. Wants perfection. I think he and Ben are a very good match. Did you see Caleb ripping into someone on the sideline? Didn't matter to him that the offense was putting up video game numbers. 

 

 

8TD's and 0 for Odunze, Burden or Loveland. A LOT of weapons.

Vertical Alignment FINALLY:   FOOTBALL PREZ:  GM:  HC:  QB.     you have to be aligned in that regard consistently  for continued success in the NFL.   

 

For the gamblers out there and or FF players.    Bears are hard to team to work the props and the amount of anger of 0 for #84, is shocking I know, but man, he had a TD that #18 just missed on the slant, but because of some many weapons and Bears wanting to be 21/31 personnel so much, they will continue to put teams in a quagmire.   SOFT.Box, then you going to get the hammer of the 21 ..... stack it then deal with 1  on 1 somewhere:   good luck on that .    And Coach BJ is a psycho 

 

 

[Boilernation]

41 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

Vertical Alignment FINALLY:   FOOTBALL PREZ:  GM:  HC:  QB.     you have to be aligned in that regard consistently  for continued success in the NFL.   

Bears are hard to team to work the props and the amount of anger of 0 for #84, is shocking I know, but man, he had a TD that #18 just missed on the slant

 

 

Indeed. It's all coming together with Warren showing George how to run a professional organization. 

Caleb probably only had 3 bad throws yesterday and 2 of them were to Colston. That slant was likely a TD if Caleb hit him.

So hard to tell on any given Sunday who will get the stats. And Ben rewards players for their play. #9 was all over the place blocking yesterday. I heard Ben say today he rewarded him with that last TD catch. 

[Coach Nowlin]

43 minutes ago, Boilernation said:

Indeed. It's all coming together with Warren showing George how to run a professional organization. 

Caleb probably only had 3 bad throws yesterday and 2 of them were to Colston. That slant was likely a TD if Caleb hit him.

So hard to tell on any given Sunday who will get the stats. And Ben rewards players for their play. #9 was all over the place blocking yesterday. I heard Ben say today he rewarded him with that last TD catch. 

Agree across the board.    Walker juice is infectious ..  what a day he had on Special Teams.  Same with Rochon 

Caleb said the same thing Sunday at the podium... easy TD...  just ripped it too fast .   So it goes.   Perfection is not reality 

 

[Boilernation]

Interesting tidbit:

The last 3 NFL teams to rush for at least 6 TD's in a game all had Dan Roushar as their O-Line coach:

9/13/26: Bears

12/25/20: Saints

11/12/17: Saints

[Muda69]

Back to important stuff, like a new boondoggle stadium for the Bears: https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago-bears-willie-wilson-soldier-field

Quote

Businessman and mayoral candidate Dr. Willie Wilson is outlining a five-point plan to keep the Bears in Chicago as the team continues to explore a move to Northwest Indiana.

 

What we know:

Wilson said he has written a letter to Bears Chairman George McCaskey urging the team to remain downtown.

 

His plan includes:

• Building a dome around Soldier Field and giving the Bears a year-round lease.
• Expanding the stadium’s seating capacity to 70,000.
• Asking the NFL to schedule a Super Bowl in Chicago.
• Selling the former Michael Reese Hospital property to the Bears for a practice field and small-business sports complex.
• Providing the Bears and nearby homeowners with a 10-year property-tax cap.

Wilson said the Bears are an important part of Chicago’s economy. He said the team generated about $629 million in total revenue last year and estimated a domed stadium could triple revenues through year-round events.

He also said hosting a Super Bowl could generate more than $500 million in economic impact.

"I have put forward a plan that will create jobs, expand opportunities to small businesses, enhance our lakefront, generate revenue for our city and make Chicago the greatest sports town in America," Wilson said in a statement.

...

Primarily just a campaign pitch for votes, I'm sure.  But I'm curious exactly what form this "Dome around Soldier Field" would take?