Roger Goodell has met with Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker and senior state legislators to discuss the Chicago Bears’ search for a new stadium, reopening the prospect of the franchise looking at Arlington Heights despite its declared focus on Hammond, Indiana.

The NFL commissioner attended Thursday’s meeting in Chicago alongside Bears minority owner Pat Ryan. Pritzker was joined by Illinois House speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch, state senator Bill Cunningham and state representative Kam Buckner, two of the legislature’s principal stadium negotiators. It was the first in-person meeting to bring Goodell together with the governor and legislative leaders during the long-running search for a replacement for Soldier Field.

“The Governor and General Assembly leadership were glad to participate in a productive meeting focused on keeping the Bears in Illinois and protecting taxpayers,” Pritzker’s office said.

Goodell’s involvement does not indicate that the Bears have abandoned Indiana, but it increases the pressure upon Illinois to produce legislation capable of supporting the Arlington Heights project.

“We appreciated the opportunity to meet with governor Pritzker and legislative leaders today,” the league stated. “Timely action is essential as the Bears work to find a long-term stadium solution for the club and their fans.”

Bears chairman George McCaskey and president Kevin Warren said in August that Hammond had become the organisation’s ‘sole focus’ having described communication with Illinois lawmakers during the summer as minimal after the General Assembly ended its spring session without completing a stadium package. The Illinois Senate approved a proposal in June that would allow qualifying Cook County municipalities to establish stadium authorities, but the House adjourned without voting on it. The arrangement would enable the Bears to fund a proposed $2bn domed stadium on publicly-controlled land while receiving a different property-tax structure for the surrounding development.

Indiana, meanwhile, has already passed legislation intended to facilitate a Bears move across the state line, giving Hammond an advantage while Illinois remains divided over taxation and infrastructure support. The team has reportedly examined two Hammond locations, at Lost Marsh Golf Course and the Wolf Lake Terminals site. Due diligence on Lost Marsh has been completed and the land has been described by Warren as viable, while geological and environmental work continues at Wolf Lake. Combining elements of the two sites has also been discussed.

Arlington Heights nevertheless remains the only option where the Bears already control the land. The franchise purchased the 326-acre former Arlington International Racecourse property in 2023 and has proposed a stadium surrounded by a substantial mixed-use entertainment district.

“The village has remained engaged with stakeholders at the state level over the past several months regarding the future home of the Chicago Bears,” Arlington Heights mayor Jim Tinaglia said. “We welcome continued progress toward keeping the Bears in Illinois and continue to believe that Arlington Heights offers the best opportunity for the [team] to build a state-of-the-art stadium and entertainment district.”

Pritzker and Goodell have remained in contact throughout the year. Public records show telephone conversations in January, when the commissioner also toured Arlington Heights and potential sites in north-west Indiana with Warren and McCaskey, followed by further exchanges as the Illinois legislation stalled. Thursday’s escalation and the presence of Ryan rather than Warren or McCaskey also allows the club to remain publicly committed to its Indiana work while another member of its ownership group explores whether an agreement can still be reached in Illinois.

The Bears have played every home season in Illinois since the franchise relocated from Decatur to Chicago in 1921. Moving to Hammond would preserve access to the wider Chicago market, but make them the first NFL team to carry a city’s name while playing in another state. Soldier Field, however, remains the league’s smallest stadium, with a capacity of approximately 61,500. The Bears do not own the venue and have limited control over parking, concessions, commercial rights and the surrounding matchday operation.