Bears to Keep Name in Potential Move to $1 Billion Hammond Site

Chairman George H. McCaskey confirmed the Chicago Bears will not rename the 107-year-old franchise if they relocate to Hammond, Indiana.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chairman George H. McCaskey announced Thursday that the Chicago Bears will retain their historic name even if the franchise constructs a new fixed-roof stadium in Hammond, Indiana. During his annual training camp address, McCaskey explicitly rejected the moniker "Hammond Bears" for the 107-year-old charter franchise, noting the team will remain the Chicago Bears whether they reside in Arlington Heights, Illinois, or across state lines. The proposed Indiana site sits approximately 30 minutes southeast of Soldier Field, where the team currently holds a lease through the 2033 season.

Indiana officials have already guaranteed the organization tax assurance and offered up to $1 billion in incentives to facilitate the relocation. This contrast in financial support follows a June vote by the Bears' board of directors to advance stadium development in Indiana. McCaskey characterized recent communication with Illinois legislators as "minimal" after the state failed to pass legislation during the spring session that would have allowed the team to pay a lump sum in lieu of property taxes. President and CEO Kevin Warren stated that the organization currently has no offer from the state of Illinois, shifting the bulk of time, attention, and resources toward the Indiana project.

Stadium Site Due Diligence and Expansion

Kevin Warren confirmed the team has completed due diligence at the Lost Marsh site in Hammond, verifying the land is viable for construction. During this vetting process, the organization identified an additional nearby property at the Wolf Lake Terminal. Warren presented the possibility of merging these two locations to create a unified stadium site. While environmental studies are ongoing at the Wolf Lake Terminal, the team is working toward a final decision once the appropriate capital stack and financing are secured. Although Warren declined to provide a specific timeline for breaking ground, citing advice from his wife Greta, he indicated that the project is reaching a point of necessary clarity.

Roster Updates for Preseason Opener

On the field, the Bears are preparing to host the Cleveland Browns this Saturday for their preseason opener. Quarterback Caleb Williams will not play in the contest, as Ben Johnson stated he does not need to see game snaps from the rookie to assess his readiness. Johnson emphasized that the coaching staff is prioritizing weekly volume and benchmarks for a 17-plus game season over exhibition repetitions. Tyson Bagent is scheduled to start at quarterback and play the entire first half. On the offensive line, Kiran Amegadjie will start at left tackle, rotating with Jedrick Wills Jr. throughout the game.

Transitioning the 107-Year-Old Franchise

Since its inception, the franchise has never played home games outside of Illinois. McCaskey acknowledged the anxiety and stress felt by the fan base regarding a potential move out of state but noted that the drive to Hammond is barely distinguishable from staying in Illinois, save for a border sign. The organization’s top priority remains delivering a world-class stadium experience, which they believe will help fans adjust to the geographic shift. Warren reiterated that the focus is now firmly on bringing the Hammond project to life, as the team seeks the property tax certainty they have yet to find in their current home state.