Bears owner says team is advancing stadium plans in Hammond, Indiana
Owner George McCaskey confirmed the Chicago Bears are focusing on a stadium site in Hammond, Indiana, while keeping the Chicago name, and discussed the team's 2026 outlook.
During the preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 15, Chicago Bears owner George McCaskey joined the broadcast to update fans on the franchise’s stadium plans. He reiterated that the team’s two potential locations are Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Hammond, Indiana, but said the Indiana site remains the priority. > "Our focus is on Hammond. That's where we're advancing our efforts, and that's where the bulk of our time, attention and resources are being devoted," McCaskey said at a press conference with team president Kevin Warren on Aug. 13.
McCaskey identified two possible parcels in Hammond – the former Lost Marsh Golf Course and the Wolf Lake Terminal – and said the organization is conducting due-diligence work on both, urging patience as the process is "time-consuming" and deliberate. He also confirmed the team will retain the "Chicago Bears" name if the move proceeds.
The owner praised second-year head coach Ben Johnson and third-year quarterback Caleb Williams, describing Williams as a hard-working player with a strong relationship with the coach. McCaskey reflected on the Bears’ 2023 postseason, noting the team’s wild-card win over the Green Bay Packers and subsequent loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round.