Rep. Kam Buckner: My statement on the Chicago Bears “statement.”

Via Courtney Cronin, statement from Matt Hill, the spokesperson for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker:

From Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office:

Paris Schutz of NBC Chicago: From a key IL lawmaker after receiving the call from Kevin Warren this morning: "he also says he looks forward to continuing discussions with me.."

Cronin: While I’m being told that the Bears announcement on Hammond is “real”, i.e. not a leverage play, a league source told me that the Bears leaving the state is not a done deal and “Illinois can still get back in the race.”

Statement from Chairman George H. McCaskey and President & CEO Kevin Warren:

Schefter: The Bears’ Board of Directors voted Thursday to advance the stadium development in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact to be selected. As one source said, “There is more work to do but barring anything very strange, it’s a done deal.”

David Haugh: The #Bears are expected to announce today their board of directors have voted and they will be focused on Hammond moving forward as the future site of their stadium, two legislative sources said.

Pen to paper ✍️

Ian Rapoport: Bears second-round center Logan Jones has agreed to terms as well.

1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ days out

Mike Garafolo: The #Bears have agreed to terms with S Dillon Thieneman on his rookie deal, sources tell me and Ian Rapoport. The 25th pick will officially sign soon, leaving only seven first-round picks yet to agree to terms or sign their deals.

Caleb Williams interview at a Madden event. Says a meeting with Michael Jordan is “in the works.” 🤔

Illinois State Representative Kam Buckner says the Pope is “acutely aware” of the Bears stadium saga. Via CHGO.

Bears WR Rome Odunze was asked if his foot is 100% healthy after last year. Odunze said he continues to rehab it and that this is “my new normal.” Here are the full answers for context. To be clear, he has been participating this spring.

Caleb Williams on the New Heights Podcast:

Other Bears to be on video game covers:

Caleb Williams talking about the Madden cover:

Cronin: I went 1-on-1 with Rome Odunze and learned how he pivoted from the disappointment of last season, the very specific exercises he's done with his feet after a stress fracture hampered him in 2025 and why he's ready to become WR1 for the Chicago Bears.

He's in the game 🎮

Caleb Williams is the first Bear to be the main cover of Madden

Luther Burden’s too smooth

Some Dillon Thieneman for your feed

Going 🆙 on a Tuesday

Per Sports Illustrated, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor announced that the Bears and Bengals will hold a single joint practice on Thursday, Aug. 20, two days before they meet at Paycor Stadium for both teams’ second preseason game.

Illinois State Senator Bill Cunningham: “Working with the Bears has been frustrating from the beginning. They've pivoted between various plans.” Cunningham adds the Bears' more recent “backchannel discussions” with the city of Chicago “completely undermined their efforts in Springfield.”

If you want to wade into stadium stuff, JB Pritzker and legislative leaders held a press conference with quite a few questions on the Bears. They did say discussions are ongoing with meetings scheduled. Left the door open for a special session if they get to an agreement, for whatever that's worth.

It’s June 1. Do you know where the Bears’ next stadium will be? Colleague @danwiederer.bsky.social burned the 5a oil to give you the latest on what happened (and didn’t happen) in Springfield. Free to read

Brenden Moore: Statement from the Bears: "We will finalize our evaluation of both Arlington Heights and Hammond, and remain on the late spring/early summer timeline that we have previously communicated. We will provide an update when we have a decision to share."

Brenden Moore: The Illinois House is about to adjourn. They won't vote on the Bears stadium bill just sent over from the Senate. Unless a special session is called this summer, they won't be back until November.

Brenden Moore: The Illinois Senate votes 37-17 to approve a bill that'd enable certain Cook County municipalities to create local stadium authorities. This would allow the construction of a Chicago Bears stadium in which the team wouldn't have to pay property taxes. Goes to the House.

Brenden Moore: Sen. Bill Cunningham tells reporters that Bears bill language should be filed in the next hour. It’d allow municipalities in Cook County with a population of 70,000+ to create their own stadium authority. Building would be privately financed but publicly owned.

Brenden Moore: With the megaprojects bill dead in the Illinois Senate, lawmakers are drafting a last-minute audible that'd let local governments create stadium authorities — potentially allowing the Bears to avoid property taxes altogether. The latest from Springfield:

Biggs: Bears are bullish on Austin Booker [Gift Link]

Leave it to the kicking specialists 😅

Friday feeling 🕺

Caleb Williams 🤝 Zavion Thomas

Oh yeah, we're SO back 🙂‍↕️

Swift action required ⚠️

Luther Burden III on the best part of playing for Ben Johnson:

Ben Johnson’s full comments on Luther Burden III:

Via Brad Biggs, Ben Johnson: “I’m buying Luther Burden stock right now.” High praise for second year #Bears wide receiver. “He’s been extremely coachable.”

Biggs: #Bears CB Jaylon Johnson is participating in the voluntary portion of the offseason program beginning this week.

Beautiful day for some football ☀️

No fly zone 🚫

You Love to see it 🫶

Biggs Q&A: “The front office is keeping tabs on potential [defensive end] options. It’s my understanding the Bears brought in A.J. Epenesa for a workout last week.” [Gift Link]