Did the Bears Mislead Fans About Chicago Stadium Negotiations?

A new report has come out claiming the Chicago Bears misled fans about the number of times they have met with the City of Chicago about new stadium plans, and now everyone is wondering why.

New Orleans Saints v Chicago Bears

Bears Stadium Saga

Football may not be my thing, but as an Illinois resident who comes from a long line of Bears fans, the thought of the Chicago Bears playing home games in Indiana is absolutely ridiculous to me.

READ MORE: New Summer Skating Experience Coming to Navy Pier

I'm not going to sit here and pretend I understand how the NFL operates, but I feel a team needs to play in the city, or at the very least the state, they are named after. Obviously, I was wrong.

Did the Bears Lie About New Stadium Negotiations?

For months, Bears executives have suggested that negotiations with the City of Chicago about their new stadium have gone nowhere. The possibility of a new Bears stadium being built in Indiana has become more real every day, but a new report claims that story is not entirely accurate.

An article from WGN says:

According to Crain’s Chicago Business reporter Justin Laurence, Bears front office leadership misrepresented the amount of discussions they were having with the City of Chicago while publicly maintaining there were only two viable destinations for a new Bears stadium — the Arlington Park Racecourse property in Chicago’s northwest suburban Arlington Heights, or the Wolf Lake site identified by Hoosier state politicians in Hammond, Indiana.

The Bears are still expected to make a stadium decision sometime this summer, but this new development is frustrating.

WGN reports Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson insists the city has been actively working with the team and remains the furthest along in the process, so... what's the truth?

Did the Chicago Bears mislead fans as leverage in stadium negotiations?

I believe that answer is yes.

Getty Images

Do the Bears Want to Move to Indiana?

If the City of Chicago really has been actively working with the Chicago Bears to come to a new stadium agreement, why do we keep hearing about this possible move to Indiana?

Many fans believe it's simply leverage to secure better incentives and financing for a new Illinois stadium.

At this point I think it's safe to say Bears fans are exhausted and deserve transparency.

If negotiations are happening, say they're happening. If a deal isn't close, say that too. But don't tell us discussions are limited when records suggest otherwise.

Do YOU think the Chicago Bears will leave Illinois? Will you still be a fan if they do?