The Chicago Bears should be all smiles right now. After all, they have their first winning season in seven years and are likely one win away from the playoffs. It is a time for optimism. Yet things aren't entirely great inside Halas Hall. Much of it has to do with the recent announcement from team president Kevin Warren. It appears the latest push to get the new stadium underway has faltered. The state government has no plans to consider legislation to help the process in 2026, which has forced Warren to explore more options. A person close to the situation told SM that this latest stall has infuriated George McCaskey.
Chicago's owner greenlit the search for a new home in 2022. Warren was hired to replace former president Ted Phillips because he had extensive experience with getting a new stadium built. He played a significant role in the Minnesota Vikings' efforts to construct U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. It seemed like a logical hire. Time has proven otherwise. Warren has accomplished next to nothing in his three years on the job, and this latest delay has done little to improve his credibility within the building.
Sports Mockery columnist Jeff Hughes shared details of how bad it is.
George McCaskey won't fire Warren.
Not unless this stadium situation spirals completely out of control. Currently, the objective appears to be opening the door to new possible locations, with northwest Indiana gaining traction. Indiana has significantly lower state property taxes and a government that is more open to attracting new sports teams. There has already been a push from representatives to approach the Bears about a deal. There is one problem. George McCaskey doesn't want to move out of the state. He hoped to stay in Chicago or at least close to it. Moving to Indiana would tarnish his grandfather's legacy.
So why don't they fire Warren and get somebody who can solve this problem? There are a couple of answers to this. The first is that the Bears president played a role in hiring head coach Ben Johnson, who has completely revived the organization. How influential he was is up for debate, but McCaskey may find it difficult to justify firing a guy who has helped turn the franchise around. Another part is that the Bears aren't on a strict deadline. Their lease with Soldier Field doesn't end for several years.
McCaskey is more upset with how poorly the process has been handled thus far. Warren clearly wasn't prepared for the challenges the Illinois state government would pose, and it has led to lots of floundering.
