All articles tagged with #chicago bears
The Chicago Bears are trying to thread a needle this offseason, balancing needs with cap space as they study NFL combine notes to guide moves in free agency and the draft, per Brad Biggs’ insights.
Indiana moved to fund a Bears stadium near the Illinois border, while Illinois advanced a bill to lay groundwork for a stadium on Bears-owned Arlington Heights property; with no deal yet, the preferred option remains a Chicago stadium, and lakefront plans appear unlikely as momentum builds toward a decision.
The Chicago Bears are weighing a future Caleb Williams extension, but talks would come only after Year 3 of his rookie deal. GM Ryan Poles stressed preserving cap flexibility while pursuing a long-term quarterback solution, signaling confidence in Williams after a standout season.
The Chicago Bears arrived in Indianapolis for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine and have begun meeting with multiple draft prospects, including Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State), Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech), Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas), Christen Miller (DT, Georgia), Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri), Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M), Dontay Corleone (DT, Cincinnati), Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami), and T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson). The tracker documents who they’ve met with to gauge potential draft directions as the April draft approaches.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, Bleacher Nation’s piece outlines Chicago Bears targets to watch at the NFL Combine, focusing on interior defensive-line and linebacker prospects (e.g., Kayden McDonald, Caleb Banks, Peter Woods, Gabe Jacas, Jacob Rodriguez, Harold Perkins Jr., Emmanuel McNeil-Warren) who could fit at 25th overall. The article assesses each player’s strengths, potential fits, and how standout combine performances could boost their draft stock for Chicago.
At the NFL scouting combine, the Chicago Bears signaled they’ll explore a wide range of moves to fix their salary-cap crunch while staying competitive in 2026 and building for the future. GM Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson indicated they’re open to trades and other options, including potential talks involving Tyson Bagent and DJ Moore, though Moore’s status hinges on cap considerations and compensation. Releasing Tremaine Edmunds could free about $15 million, and the team will weigh how to replace holes while mapping a path toward a future quarterback, all while trying to maximize flexibility over the next few years.
The Bears have given Tremaine Edmunds permission to explore a trade; if no deal materializes, Chicago is expected to release the linebacker to free up salary-cap space.
Chicago has granted Tremaine Edmunds permission to seek a trade as the Bears aim to clear roughly $15 million for 2026 and regain cap flexibility; if no deal materializes, Edmunds could be released when the new league year begins. The move signals a broader linebacker retooling after injuries sidelined T.J. Edwards, with Noah Sewell and D’Marco Jackson in play and the team weighing free-agent options (e.g., Demario Davis) alongside a potential early-round focus on linebackers in the 2026 draft (the Bears hold the 25th pick). The goal is to add speed and youth to the position while determining whether to receive draft compensation or cut bait entirely.
The Chicago Bears reportedly granted linebacker Tremaine Edmunds permission to seek a trade this offseason. With Edmunds carrying about $15 million due in 2026 and a cap hit over $17 million, a trade would likely bring value back to Chicago, while a release would simply free cap space.
The Chicago Park District unveiled a $630 million plan to convert Soldier Field into a year‑round venue for concerts and major events, including sound upgrades and surrounding infrastructure improvements; the proposal would add to existing stadium debt funded in part by hotel‑tax revenue that has fallen short, as state lawmakers in Illinois and Indiana weigh Bears relocation options to Arlington Heights or other sites.
Chicago native Shae Cornette told ESPN's First Take she isn't that mad about the Bears potentially moving from Soldier Field to northwest Indiana, arguing a new, more accessible stadium could improve the fan experience. With Indiana legislation proposing a stadium authority to fund a Hammond-area site and Chicago's Arlington Heights plan for public funding, Cornette notes the move would mirror other NFL teams playing outside their historic cities if it helps fans.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says the Bears’ next stadium is unlikely to be built in Chicago, as Indiana moves to lure them to Hammond and Arlington Heights remains the Illinois option, intensifying cross-state competition as lawmakers weigh megaproject funding and Bears infrastructure needs.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says the Chicago Bears’ public suggestion they might relocate to Indiana wasn’t a confirmed move, noting privately the team signaled no final decision; Indiana has pushed SB 27 to create a stadium authority capable of financing up to $2 billion for a new Bears stadium near Hammond, prompting Bears to say they’ll continue due diligence and clarify their intentions.
Illinois lawmakers say there’s no deal yet as the Chicago Bears weigh a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, where Indiana is moving forward with a bill to finance the project via bonds supported by an admission tax and an entertainment district. The Bears would invest about $2 billion, Indiana would contribute over $1 billion, and the stadium would be owned by a state authority. Governor Pritzker says progress is being made on an Illinois framework, but lawmakers warn the Illinois bill isn’t dead and tweaks may be needed. Indiana’s bill is expected to pass soon, while Illinois considers its own path; construction could start this year if a deal materializes. The proposed site near Wolf Lake sits roughly 20 miles from downtown Chicago and would require environmental and NFL approvals, keeping the plan in flux.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah shared seven takeaways ahead of the 2026 Scouting Combine: the Jets should explore veteran QBs via trades (e.g., Tanner McKee, Davis Mills) instead of drafting at No. 2 and should stack trench value to maximize picks for next year; Ty Simpson has the most to gain among QBs and could go early despite injury questions; Bills need a bigger, more physical WR and may find value on Day 2 with players like Chris Bell; Bears appear set to sit and let the draft fall to them at No. 25, with edge rusher and offensive tackle options likely; Broncos could eye Jadarian Price as a potential first-round back to pair with RJ Harvey; Patriots should target defensive value, especially on the edge, while wide receivers can come later; and Dillon Thieneman’s stock could surge after the combine.