Bears president Kevin Warren says intention is to build new stadium on the lakefront

The Chicago Bears’ stadium saga continues to roll on, with little action taking place. The team is at an impasse with Arlington Heights and the 326-acre property they purchased over a year ago, and reports came out two weeks ago that indicate they have their sights set on a new stadium near Soldier Field. On Tuesday, team president Kevin Warren confirmed that report and intends to build a new stadium on the lakefront.

Warren met with reporters during the 2024 NFL owners meetings in Orlando, FL, and was asked by CHGO’s Adam Hoge if the Bears intended to build a new stadium in Chicago if everything came together. Warren didn’t mince words. “The plan would be to put a shovel in the ground on the lakefront,” he said.

Still a long way to go with the renderings, plans, funding, etc., but if Kevin Warren can work it all out with the government, the Bears’ new stadium will be in Chicago, not Arlington Heights. pic.twitter.com/Kz1z9j17pg

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) March 26, 2024

Ever since he was hired as team president and CEO, Warren has expressed his affinity for the city of Chicago. Last August, in an interview with Peter King, Warren talked about the possible options for a stadium location and couldn’t stop gushing about Chicago and its lakefront. “God really kissed downtown Chicago with that lakefront,” Warren said via NBC Sports Chicago. “I don’t think there’s any place in the country that has that beauty of a city right upon a beautiful lake in Lake Michigan.”

The vision for a new stadium just south of Soldier Field comes after the difficulties the Bears have had with the Arlington Park property. Disagreements surrounding the proposed tax assessments have stalled progress, and even after the village recently proposed a fair compromise that would lower the current tax rate, the Bears are making their intentions clear as to which direction they’re going.

Warren is hoping to get shovels in the ground, but until that happens, this saga will continue and perhaps that happens sooner rather than later. Until then, this stadium saga will continue.