Kevin Warren has served as the Chicago Bears president since 2022. In that time, it is difficult to say what he has accomplished, if anything. He was present when the team drafted Caleb Williams and hired Ben Johnson, but both decisions were reportedly made primarily by GM Ryan Poles. The big selling point on Warren was that he'd be able to lead the charge in building a new stadium for the franchise, having helped the Minnesota Vikings do the same in Minneapolis. Yet for three years, nothing has materialized.
Not only that, but Warren also seems to have consistently muddled the process by shifting focus repeatedly. It began with plans to build in Arlington Heights, then shifted to a push for a new stadium in downtown Chicago, and ultimately returned to Arlington Heights. Now, he dropped another announcement this week, declaring the team was reopening their search for a new home, including a potential exit from the state entirely to Northwest Indiana. This has reportedly angered several powerful people, not just because of the threat to leave, but because of his timing.
Governor J.B. Pritzker said as much in his response.
“Suggesting the Bears would move to Indiana is a startling slap in the face to all the beloved and loyal fans who have been rallying around the team during this strong season.”
He isn't alone. Kam Buckner is one of the top Democrats in the Illinois House of Representatives. He called Warren out for his constant tone-deaf decisions to announce new stadium updates during important events. This isn't even the first time. This obsession of his with eventually hosting a Super Bowl in a state-of-the-art building isn't doing him or the Bears any favors.
Kevin Warren is living up to his reputation.
He came in three years ago as the former commissioner of the Big Ten conference. While that is a lofty title in sports circles, it didn't necessarily mean Warren was good at his job. People inside the conference didn't like him. They felt he took more credit than he deserved and were thrilled to see him leave when he did. The man has always come across as more of a politician than an executive. He talks a big game but rarely follows through on his promises. It appears the same is happening in Chicago.
Kevin Warren has made plenty of bold promises, but hasn't accomplished anything. If that weren't enough, his antics are starting to anger many powerful people in Illinois. Now, maybe he has a path out of it by moving to Indiana, where the Bears are clearly wanted, but that is a problem too, namely because the McCaskey family doesn't want to do that. They're the Chicago Bears, not the Indiana Bears. What the organization needs is somebody who understands how to mediate and create a positive dialogue with the state powerbrokers.
Warren has not proven to be that guy.
