Future of the Bears in Hammond, Indiana

Hammond, Indiana. If you’ve ever visited Soldier Field or strolled near the lakeside, and if you have a touch of romanticism like I do, you might feel that football belongs right there. In front of that towering skyscraper, beside that lovely park, with the best coach and an impressive young quarterback. But that’s not how things are unfolding. It’s time to face reality.

Now, Arlington Heights is being discussed. It’s an impressive, modern location in the northern suburbs. Have you seen it? There’s a racetrack there that got torn down, which felt like a blow to Chicago’s history. But here we are, shifting our attention to Hammond, Indiana. Let’s try to move beyond the negativity. What positives can we find here? For one, Hammond is actually closer to downtown than Arlington Heights. In fact, it’s even nearer than where I lived up on the north side of Lake Forest. It’s about 30 minutes quicker to get into the city. Maybe it’s a kind of Manifest Destiny, reminiscent of when everyone was heading west.

There’s this lovely little hill I refer to as Johnny’s Hill. It embodies the American dream, right? Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out as hoped in Chicago. But shifting focus south to Hammond might offer new opportunities. If done correctly, it could lead to a modern venue for whatever endeavors lie ahead. You could shape the stadium and its environment entirely to your liking, and despite the mixed reputation of Hammond, there are many Bears fans ready to embrace this change and truly make it a home.

Right now, I know many feel disregarded by this move, myself included, but it feels like a chance to elevate the team further. Winning looks like staying focused on those early downs and keeping the momentum through the crucial moments. Building a solid defense that halts the run and pressures the passer on third downs should be a priority. Everything seems to point in a positive direction, and what’s happening in Hammond presents a unique opportunity for the Bears to truly make a leap.

I think back to when St. Louis relocated to Los Angeles. That journey involved quite a bit more travel, yet they transformed into contenders almost overnight. The Bears are already contenders, so imagine the possibilities with just the right boost.