Roger Goodell Drops Surprising Truth Bomb On The Bears Leaving Chicago

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Roger Goodell finally spoke about the growing questions surrounding the Chicago Bears and the possibility of the team leaving Chicago. The NFL commissioner discussed the issue during a recent league meeting as pressure continues to grow over the Bears’ stadium plans.

The Bears still have not reached a stadium deal with the city of Chicago. Because of that, other locations are continuing to pursue the franchise. Hammond, Indiana, has already submitted a proposal for a new stadium, while Arlington Heights is still working on its own stadium plan in the Chicago suburbs.

Goodell said the Bears may soon have to choose between these two options. He also revealed that he recently spoke with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker about the situation.

“The legislature in Illinois is obviously focused on that,” Goodell said. “They’re getting into the final days of their session. I’ve spoken to Governor Pritzker recently, and I think there’s a focus on trying to get something done there, and then they’ll have two viable sites that the Bears can make their decision from there.”

Hammond Gains Momentum In Stadium Race

Right now, Hammond appears to hold the strongest position because city leaders already presented an official offer to the Bears. Arlington Heights still needs lawmakers to approve legislation and secure funding before the project can move forward.

That leaves the future of one of the NFL’s oldest franchises hanging in the balance.

If Arlington Heights misses key deadlines or fails to lock in financial support, the Bears could leave Illinois completely. That possibility continues to frustrate many fans across Chicago.

Roger Goodell: Bears’ stadium decision will be between two viable sites. https://t.co/NLpL93uTJr

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 20, 2026

For decades, the Bears have played at Soldier Field, one of the league’s most historic stadiums. Fans now fear they could lose not only the stadium, but also the team’s connection to the city itself.

The debate already sparked strong reactions around Chicago. Many fans blame local leaders and team officials for allowing the situation to reach this point. Others worry the uncertainty could drag on for years before the franchise makes a final call.

Goodell did not hint at which location the league prefers. Still, his comments confirmed that serious talks continue behind the scenes as Illinois lawmakers race against time.

For now, the Bears sit at the center of one of the NFL’s biggest stadium stories, and fans will keep watching every step closely.