Hammond isn't giving up on Bears making a move to Indiana

Published November 2, 2026 12:58 PM The Bears are where we thought they were. And it appears they’ll be staying.But Indiana isn’t giving up just yet. Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. believes the Bears will still cross the border.At times, however, he wonders what will happen.“There’s some days when you talk to me and ask, ‘Mayor, are the Bears coming,’ and I’ll be 100% positive and there’s some days that I’m not as positive, OK?” McDermott said Friday, via Doug Ross of the Post-Tribune. “And that’s because it’s changing every second.”The one constant throughout the change is the perception that Hammond is simply a bluff for the Bears to get a deal done in Illinois. “I think the Bears are dead serious, but what if they are playing us?” McDermott said. “What are you supposed to do?”Hammond remains in a nothing-to-lose posture. It’s not as if they’re talking to two NFL teams and could potentially miss out on one by focusing on the other. It’s the Bears or nothing.Obviously, there’s an investment of time and money that Hammond has made for something that could be a waste of both. What should Hammond do? Frankly, it should issue an ultimatum to the Bears. Get it done or get lost. Break ground or get bent.Hammond has allowed itself to become the leverage for the Bears to build a new stadium in Illinois. To those on the outside, it’s obvious. To those calling the shots in Hammond, they’ve become sufficiently smitten by the possibility of getting the Bears that they have suspended disbelief.To the obvious benefit of the Bears.In the end, what will Hammond get? A fruit basket? A heartfelt “thank you”? Either way, Hammond won’t be getting an NFL team in an NFL stadium. Unless and until all options in Illinois evaporate and the Bears sign the paperwork and at least 24 NFL teams authorize the relocation and the shovels are buried in Hammond soil.For now, Hammond should use those shovels in an effort to clear away any and all BS and force the Bears to commit.