Caleb Williams to lose key Bears advantage when Chicago leaves Soldier Field in $4.7bn relocation

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When Caleb Williams hit the Soldier Field turf in Week 2, Chicago Bears fans feared the worst.

Their franchise quarterback was down in serious pain, and carted off the field to much debate.

Williams went down injured at Solider Field in Week 2Credit: Getty

It was later confirmed that Williams had suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain.

In his absence, the Bears beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Monday Night Football.

Case Keenum impressed under center, in what turned out to be another special night under the lights at Soldier Field that kept Chicago alive in the loaded NFC North.

But the Bears simply aren’t the same without Williams, who returned from a three-game absence to play highly efficient football on Sunday in a 31-23 road win over the Atlanta Falcons.

The 4-2 Bears are third in the division ahead of a Thursday Night Football clash against the New England Patriots.

Williams will square off against Patriots QB Drake Maye, who has found his form in recent weeks after betting big on a rising $28bn industry.

Williams provided some magic of his own at the historic stadium in the playoffs last season, and will hope to have many more big nights now that he’s bounced back from injury.

But the Bears might not be in Chicago for too much longer.

Bears eye $4.7 billion relocation that could cross state lines

The $9.7 billion NFL franchise hopes to build a state-of-the-art stadium, and will leave Soldier Field when that happens.

Williams will lose a competitive advantage when the Bears leave Soldier FieldCredit: Getty

The Bears are likely to relocate from Illinois to Indiana to build a new stadiumCredit: Manica

A site in Arlington Heights was once proposed, but is no longer leading the wayCredit: Manica

Plans for a new home are yet to be finalized, but have been making headlines for months, with a relocation likely.

The Bears have at least one viable site for a $4.7bn stadium in northwest Indiana, and were recently examining a second location too.

An announcement was made in June that confirmed the team was moving forward with a development project in Hammond, Indiana — and therefore moving across state lines.

The Bears had long been considering Arlington Heights — an Illinois site about 30 miles northwest of Chicago — as a potential location for a domed stadium.

However, it appears ownership is now fully focused on taking the team to Indiana, and a final decision is expected soon.

When they do leave Soldier Field, for wherever that might be, QB Williams stands to lose quite the advantage.

Bears coach once revealed how Soldier Field benefits offense

After Williams led the Bears to a dramatic overtime win against the rival Green Bay Packers in Week 16 of the 2025 season, then-offensive coordinator Declan Doyle explained why Soldier Field gives Chicago the upper hand.

“We do feel like it’s an advantage for us because it does get windy,” Doyle told reporters.

“We have to play in the elements and we feel like we have a quarterback that can cut the wind a little bit.

“Regardless of where we’re playing or what the conditions are, we feel like he’s going to be able to throw the ball well.”

Williams knows how to play in the elements, and has dealt with the conditions well in the Windy CityCredit: Getty

Williams has returned from an injury scare and looks back to his best ahed of a Week 7 clash with the Patriots at Soldier FieldCredit: Getty

When the Bears move to their domed stadium, those inside will be protected from the elements, and Williams will lose his advantage.

The quarterback, of course, won’t be playing forever.

But he’s only in his third season with the Bears, and the franchise will want to give him as much of an advantage as possible right now.

The way the former No. 1 overall pick has dealt with home conditions to date has been impressive, and head coach Ben Johnson has also previously praised the intense atmosphere fans inside Soldier Field can create.

Speaking about that playoff victory against the Packers, Johnson revealed the Soldier Field atmosphere was key to the comeback.

“When you win a game in that fashion, scoring 25 points in the fourth quarter, there’s a level of excitement,” he told ESPN Chicago.

“That’s something that I don’t think they’ll ever forget.”

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