Chicago Bears stadium update: Roger Goodell confirms talks with Illinois governor

The Chicago Bears’ long-running stadium search has officially moved beyond state politics and now appears to have the NFL itself operating just beneath the surface of negotiations.

Speaking in Orlando on Tuesday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell offered another update on the franchise’s ongoing stadium process, confirming that discussions remain active between the league, the team, and state leadership in Illinois.

But one brief comment stood out far more than the standard league-issued update.

“I’ve spoken to the governor recently,” Goodell said.

A two-state battle still unresolved

At the center of the dispute are two primary options: a site in Illinois and a competing proposal in Indiana. The Bears continue to evaluate both locations as potential long-term homes, while state lawmakers in Illinois push forward with legislation designed to keep the team in-state.

Goodell reiterated that the league’s stadium committee remains engaged in the process and that both options are still considered viable from the NFL’s perspective.

“They’ll have two viable sites that the Bears can make their decision from,” he explained.

The subtext was clear...the decision is approaching a final stage.

Illinois politics now fully in the mix

The political backdrop has become increasingly influential in recent weeks. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has taken a more visible role in public commentary surrounding the stadium debate, including criticism of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson over the lack of a cohesive plan to keep the team in the city.

At the same time, legislation known as HB 910, or the “megaprojects bill”, continues to move through the Illinois Senate. The proposal includes long-term property tax certainty measures and financial structures that the Bears have indicated are important to their stadium plans.

The bill is now approaching a critical deadline at the end of May, aligning directly with the team’s self-imposed timeline to choose a final site.

On the surface, Goodell’s remarks were consistent with past updates: ongoing discussions, multiple viable sites, and continued legislative movement. But the confirmation of direct communication with the governor signals that the NFL is not just observing the process, but actively staying engaged with key political stakeholders.

That level of involvement is not unusual for major stadium projects, but it does show how significant the Bears’ decision has become for both the league and regional governments. This is a multi-layer negotiation involving the league office, state governments, and private ownership interests.

With legislative deadlines approaching and site evaluations narrowing, the expectation around the league is that the Bears will need to finalize their direction soon after the current Illinois legislative session concludes on May 31.

If HB 910 passes the state Senate, it would move to the governor’s desk and potentially unlock one of the final major obstacles in keeping the team in Illinois. If not, Indiana remains a fully viable alternative. For now, no final decision has been announced, and neither the Bears nor the NFL have publicly indicated a preferred site.

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