The Chicago Bears are at a crossroads as a franchise with the future of Soldier Field and quarterback Justin Fields. The franchise strikes a deal for land they intended to purchase in Arlington Heights that would be the site of a new stadium that could change the organization’s landscape.
A new stadium is coming for the Bears, whether it’s another renovation of Soldier Field or a new stadium in Arlington Heights. Fields, who may have an uncertain future with the Bears because Chicago is No. 1 overall in the upcoming draft, hopes Chicago will make a big change when the franchise unveils plans for a new stadium.
“I hope we get a dome,” Fields said on the Pardon My Take podcast this week. “I don’t care if we’re in Soldier Field, I don’t care if we’re in Arlington Heights. I hope we get a dome.”
Fields clearly shows that he wants to build with the bears and stick with it, but the reasons he wants a dome are clear. Chicago’s cold and windy weather plays a role.
“It’s very difficult to adjust to, especially when it’s windy,” Fields said of NBC 5 Chicago. “That’s what I found out. That’s what it’s about, is the wind. It can be cold. It can be 10 degrees. But you’re fine with no wind. But with this 15 mph wind, this 20 mph wind, you can’t fight it, it’s hard.
“When it’s that cold, you have to get dressed. This cold makes me feel a lot slower. It’s hard to stay warm in this weather.”
While a dome would help Fields, the Bears have never played their home games indoors since the franchise’s inception in 1919. Chicago has been known for its adverse weather conditions over the years, a part of the franchise’s identity. Of course, the Bears never had a 4,000-yard passer or a quarterback that ended in a season with 30 passing touchdowns — the only franchise in NFL history not to have either.
Maybe Fields is on to something. On the other hand, the Bears would get a royal ransom if they traded Fields while retaining the No. 1 pick to renew their franchise.
Fields may never see Chicago get that dome unless as a visitor.